The Enforcement Directorate announced on Friday that it has provisionally confiscated 18 movable and 161 immovable properties valued at approximately Rs 205.49 crore in connection with a money laundering investigation related to the alleged Rs 2000 crore liquor scam in the state.
Following a Federal Information Report (FIR) lodged by the state police under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, the central investigative agency has initiated a new Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) in connection with the liquor scam.
Anwar Dhebar’s seized assets comprise a commercial establishment called ‘Accord Business Tower’ and Hotel Vennington Court in Raipur, which is managed by his company, M/s A Dhebar Buildcon.
According to the ED, corruption in the liquor scam, which occurred between 2019 and 2022, was executed through various means, such as receiving bribes from distillers for each case of liquor purchased by the Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited (the state entity handling the procurement and distribution of liquor) from them.
None of the revenue reached the state treasury; rather, the syndicate retained all proceeds from the sale of unreported country liquor, which the alleged gang behind the operation sold and concealed from official records. As per the ED, the illicit alcohol was sold through state-owned outlets.
Distillers were compelled to pay bribes to establish a cartel and maintain a fixed market share. Additionally, licensed merchants of foreign liquor received commissions, as per the findings of the investigative agency.
Anil Tuteja was arrested by the ED following his detention on April 21.
