Leader of the Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly, Babulal Marandi, has approached the Jharkhand High Court by filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the alleged liquor scam in the state.
In his petition, Marandi argued that the investigation has witnessed prolonged delays and that the absence of a chargesheet even after several months raises serious concerns over the pace and effectiveness of the probe.
He urged the court to entrust the matter to the CBI for an impartial and comprehensive investigation.
The PIL points out that the names of several influential individuals, including suspended IAS officer Vinay Chaubey, have figured during the course of the investigation.
It notes that the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) registered an FIR in 2025 and arrested multiple accused. However, as the investigating agency failed to file a chargesheet within the prescribed legal timeframe, the accused secured default bail.
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According to the petition, more than 14 months have passed since the FIR was lodged, yet the investigation remains incomplete. It alleges that the probe has progressed at a sluggish pace and that no chargesheet has been submitted before the competent court despite the passage of considerable time.
Marandi further informed the high court that Jharkhand adopted a new excise policy in 2022, drawing from the liquor policy implemented in neighbouring Chhattisgarh.
The PIL alleges that contracts were awarded to two placement agencies on the strength of forged bank guarantees and claims that the role of several private entities connected with the liquor business has come under the scanner.
The petition also seeks a detailed investigation into the involvement of the company engaged in manufacturing holograms, the manpower supply agency, and the firm that received the wholesale liquor distribution contract, contending that their roles warrant closer scrutiny.
Through the PIL, the BJP leader has requested the high court to transfer the entire investigation to the CBI, arguing that only an independent central agency can ensure a fair and credible probe into the alleged scam.
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