In a significant development related to an alleged ₹38 crore liquor scandal, the Jharkhand government has suspended former Excise Department Secretary Vinay Kumar Chaubey and Joint Excise Commissioner Gajendra Singh.
The Department of Personnel issued the suspension order, which came into effect on 20 May—the same day the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested the two officials.
According to ACB sources, the officers are suspected of misusing their official positions and causing substantial financial loss to the state’s revenue.
Initial investigations have revealed discrepancies in the management of excise operations, prompting a broader inquiry into Jharkhand’s liquor licensing and distribution system.
The officers were arrested on 20 May and subsequently remanded to judicial custody. Under existing government regulations, any public servant detained for more than 48 hours must be suspended—a rule that was applied in this case.
The suspensions pave the way for a more thorough investigation, which could potentially uncover the involvement of additional officials. While the state government has not yet announced further disciplinary action, it has emphasised that the matter is being dealt with at the highest level of seriousness.
The case highlights long-standing concerns within the excise department, a sector often viewed as susceptible to corruption due to its considerable revenue potential.
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