The Allahabad High Court has ruled against former IAS officer Anil Tuteja, Anwar Dhebar, and two others by allowing the criminal proceedings initiated in Uttar Pradesh to proceed in connection with the Chhattisgarh liquor scam.
The court made this decision despite the Supreme Court’s earlier dismissal of a related money laundering case.
In a hearing presided over by Justices Siddhartha Varma and Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra, the court emphasized that the Supreme Court’s ruling does not obstruct the continuation of the criminal charges against Tuteja and his associates.
The justices stated that witness statements collected by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) could still provide grounds for the ongoing proceedings in Uttar Pradesh.
The allegations against the accused involve their connection to a substantial Rs 2,000 crore liquor syndicate that operated during the tenure of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, a Congress party leader.
The ED initiated a money laundering investigation into this matter on 4 July 2023, which revealed links to Uttar Pradesh.
Investigations by the ED uncovered a Noida-based company allegedly implicated in submitting illegal tenders for supplying holograms to Chhattisgarh’s excise department – essential for authenticating liquor bottles and ensuring the payment of excise duties.
In response to information relayed by the ED on 28 July 2023, the Uttar Pradesh police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Tuteja and others on July 30 at the Kasna police station in Greater Noida.
This FIR included specific charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including fraud and conspiracy.
While the Supreme Court dismissed the ED’s money laundering complaint in April 2024, citing a lack of a predetermined crime, the High Court determined that the FIR filed by the Uttar Pradesh police remains valid.
The court remarked, “The FIR contains specific allegations against the petitioners, indicating cognizable offenses.”
The case revolves around four individuals: Anil Tuteja, Anwar Dhebar, Arun Pati Tripathi, and Niranjan Das, who sought to quash the FIR.
However, the High Court found sufficient evidence to continue the case, particularly noting that Anwar Dhebar’s involvement was substantiated by evidence gathered post-FIR.
As the case unfolds, the focus remains on the implications of the ruling and the broader investigation into the alleged corruption and misconduct associated with the Chhattisgarh liquor syndicate.
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