SC Sets Deadline For Chhattisgarh Liquor Case Investigation, Grants Bail To Ex-Official

The Supreme Court has instructed the Chhattisgarh government to complete its investigation into Arun Pati Tripathi, a former excise official accused of causing over Rs.2,000 crore in losses to the state, by April 10.

The court emphasized that the investigation into the liquor case should not continue indefinitely.

Prolonged Investigation

Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan expressed frustration over the lengthy investigation, which has already included three charge sheets and involved 300 witnesses. The bench remarked, “This cannot continue endlessly. Some day your investigation should end,” urging the authorities to wrap up the case.

Tripathi’s Role & Allegations

Tripathi, who served as the chairman of the Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation and as the special secretary in the state’s excise department, is accused of masterminding a cartel that controlled liquor distribution in the state. The scheme allegedly involved taking commissions from liquor retailers and manipulating excise policies for personal gain.

Senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, representing the state, asked for six more weeks to finish the investigation, citing its complexity and the need to confront absconding accused. However, the bench emphasized the importance of a speedy trial under Article 21 of the Constitution, noting the already significant delays.

Immediate Release of Other Accused

The court decided to grant Tripathi bail on April 10, subject to conditions set by the trial court, including the surrender of his passport and daily appearances before the investigating officer until the final charge sheet is filed. The court also ordered the immediate release of three other accused individuals—Anurag Trivedi, Deepak Duari, and Dilip Pandey—and deferred hearings for two others, former IAS officer Anil Tuteja and businessman Anwar Dhebar.

In addition to the ongoing criminal investigation, the Enforcement Directorate is conducting a separate money laundering investigation against Tripathi, who was previously granted bail in that case.