Unmasking the Rs 50 Crore Fake Liquor Challan Scam

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken decisive action against a Rs 50 crore fake liquor challan scam in Madhya Pradesh, arresting two individuals under the anti-money laundering law. The accused, identified as Ansh Trivedi and Raju Dashwant, were detained on October 3 in Indore and are now in ED custody until October 8.

According to the ED, these two were the masterminds behind a fraudulent scheme that enabled liquor contractors to illicitly obtain profits, inflicting substantial losses on the state treasury. The investigation revealed that the accused deposited nominal amounts in treasury challans, intentionally leaving the 'Rupees in Words' section vacant, only to fill in inflated figures later.

These manipulated challans were then used as counterfeit proof of payment at liquor warehouses and district excise offices, allowing them to acquire illegal NOCs and liquor license approvals. The probe stems from an FIR filed by Indore's Raoji police, uncovering a significant financial loss to the state exchequer through forgery and manipulation.

(With inputs from agencies.)