The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) detained Anwar Dhebar on 6.5.2023 under the provisions of the PMLA 2002 in the Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam. Earlier in March, the ED conducted searches at different places, recorded the testimony of many people engaged in the process, and gathered evidence of unparalleled corruption and money laundering of Rs 2000 Crore between 2019 and 2022.
An investigation by the PMLA found that an organised crime organisation led by Anwar Dhebar was operating in Chhattisgarh. Anwar Dhebar, despite being a private individual, had the support of and was working for the illicit satisfaction of high-level political executives and senior bureaucrats. He concocted a sophisticated scheme and assembled a large network of people and companies to carry out the scheme, which resulted in money being unlawfully collected from every bottle of spirits sold throughout the state of Chhattisgarh.
The revenue from spirits (Excise Duty) is one of the largest contributors to the state coffers. Excise Departments are responsible for regulating the supply of spirits, ensuring the quality of spirits to consumers, preventing hooch disasters and earning income for the state. However, an inquiry found that a criminal gang run by Anwar Dhebar had flipped all of these goals on their heads.
The state of Chhattisgarh regulates all parts of the spirits trade, from procurement to retail sales to consumers. In Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam private liquor stores are not permitted. The State manages all 800 liquor stores. All spirits marketed in Chhattisgarh are procured centrally by the Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited (CSMCL). CSMCL releases bids for the following: Manpower suppliers who run the stores, Cash Collection bids, Bottle Makers, and Hologram Makers.
Anwar Dhebar was able to secure a pliant Commissioner and MD of CSMCL with the help of political executives, and he employed close colleagues like Vikas Agarwal @Subbu & Arvind Singh to make the system entirely obedient to him. In Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam he controlled the entire liquor trade chain, beginning with Private Distillers, FL-10A Licence Holders, Senior Excise Department Officers, District Excise Officers, Man-power Suppliers, Glass Bottle Makers, Hologram Makers, Cash – Collection Vendors, and so on, and used it to extort the maximum amount of bribes/commission. Several other stakeholders unlawfully benefitted from the process as well.
According to an investigation conducted by the ED, the Syndicate in Chhattisgarh benefited in three different ways. Firstly, they charged a commission of Rs 75-150 per case from liquor suppliers for every accounted cash procured by CSMCL, depending on the type of liquor. Secondly, in a conspiracy with others, Anwar Dhebar began manufacturing unaccounted country-made kacha off-the-books liquor, which was sold through government-run shops without depositing any proceeds in the State Exchequer. This resulted in everyone involved in the illegal chain, including distillers, transporters, hologram makers, excise officials, politicians, and senior IAS officers, getting a share of the sale proceeds. This accounted for almost 30-40% of the total liquor sale in the state from 2019-2022, generating an illegal profit of Rs 1200-1500 crore in Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam. Lastly, the Syndicate received an annual commission from the main distillers for getting a distillery license and a fixed share in the market purchase of CSMCL. Additionally, FL-10A License Holders paid a commission to foreign liquor suppliers associated with Anwar Dhebar. ED detained Anwar Dhebar on 6.5.2023 under the provisions of the PMLA 2002 in the Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam.
The syndicate is anticipated to have produced Rs 2000 crore in total between 2019 and 2022. Anwar Dhebar is in charge of collecting all of the unlawful money, yet he is not the final benefactor of this scheme. It is known that he handed on the leftover sums to his political bosses after subtracting a percentage.
Previously, the ED conducted searches at 35 locations in Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Delhi, including Anwar Dhebar’s home. However, he escaped through a hidden trap door and did not take part in the hunt. He was called seven times but did not participate in the inquiry. He was constantly using Benami SIM Cards, Internet dongles, changing places, and was eventually focused on a hotel room of a close associate. Instead of receiving the summons, he attempted to flee by the back door but was apprehended by an attentive squad of ED. ED detained Anwar Dhebar under the provisions of the PMLA 2002 in the Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam. He was detained and brought before the PMLA Special Judge of Raipur this morning, who remanded him to ED custody for four days. More research is being conducted.
