Lagatar24 Desk
Ranchi: A major revelation has emerged in the Jharkhand liquor scam as senior IAS officer Amit Kumar recorded his statement under Section 164 (BNSS Act) before the court, detailing how key decisions in the excise department were allegedly controlled by Vinay Choubey.
Statement Recorded at Officer’s Own Request
The statement of Amit Kumar, former Excise Commissioner and currently Commissioner in the Commercial Taxes Department, was recorded after prior permission from the ACB court. Notably, the statement was made at Amit Kumar’s own request and not at the behest of the investigating agency. Following his request, the court appointed a magistrate, before whom the statement was formally recorded and subsequently sealed.
Allegations of One-Man Control Over Tenders
In his court statement, Amit Kumar made several significant disclosures related to the liquor scam. He stated that no tender in the excise department was processed without Vinay Choubey’s approval and that the decision regarding which agency would receive a tender was solely taken by Choubey. Payments to placement agencies were also made strictly on Choubey’s instructions.
Files and Payments Followed Oral Instructions
According to the statement, all officers were orally instructed that file notings related to tenders and payments must reflect exactly what Vinay Choubey directed. Amit Kumar further alleged that Choubey, along with Chhattisgarh-based officer Arunpati Tripathi, modified tender conditions in a manner that disproportionately benefited certain placement agencies.
Rules Allegedly Bypassed During Choubey’s Tenure
The statement suggests that during Vinay Choubey’s tenure as Excise Secretary, departmental rules were allegedly sidelined and decisions were taken unilaterally. Amit Kumar described the excise department during that period as a “one-man show,” where Choubey’s instructions were followed at all levels without question.
Earlier Interrogations by ACB
This is not the first time Amit Kumar has spoken about the matter. He had earlier been questioned twice by the ACB, during which he had also disclosed alleged irregularities committed during Vinay Choubey’s tenure in the excise department.
