Referring to reports of ACB questioning of former excise commissioners Amit Kumar, Karn Satyarthi and Faiz Ahmed, Marandi said their statements indicated serious irregularities and abuse of authority.
Babulal Marandi (File Photo)
Jharkhand BJP president and Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi on Thursday alleged Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s involvement in the liquor scam, claiming the ongoing ACB probe was designed to shield senior figures. He said the trail of decisions in the Excise Department pointed beyond jailed IAS officer Vinay Choubey.
Referring to reports of ACB questioning of former excise commissioners Amit Kumar, Karn Satyarthi and Faiz Ahmed, Marandi said their statements indicated serious irregularities and abuse of authority. He questioned why senior officers, if subjected to unlawful pressure, failed to record dissent on file or approach the chief secretary or the chief minister.
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Marandi said the absence of formal objections raised new issues that must be examined. He alleged the pattern of statements suggested a coordinated attempt to protect influential persons.
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He recalled having written to the chief minister in 2022 warning of a possible liquor scam and alleged that no action followed. This, he said, strengthened the case for a wider probe.
Questioning the credibility of the ACB, Marandi alleged corruption charges against its leadership and said an impartial inquiry could not be expected. He also criticised the posting of officers under scrutiny to key district assignments, saying officials who yield to pressure and bypass rules should not hold sensitive positions.
Marandi reiterated that if the chief minister was clean, the case should be handed over to the CBI.
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