Ranchi, October 30 (Udaipur Kiran) — The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday questioned IAS officer Mukesh Kumar, former Secretary of the Excise and Prohibition Department, in connection with the ongoing liquor scam case in Jharkhand.
According to official sources, the ACB questioned the officer regarding the alleged inaction against two placement agencies — M/s Marsion Innovative Security Service Pvt. Ltd. and M/s Vision Hospitality Services — despite having evidence against them. Both firms had been awarded contracts for manpower supply at state-run retail liquor outlets under the Jharkhand State Beverages Corporation Limited (JSBCL).
The agencies reportedly submitted fake bank guarantees, resulting in a revenue loss of ₹38 crore to the state government. The ACB is investigating how the irregularities were allowed to continue without timely administrative action.
In recent weeks, the ACB has intensified its probe, questioning several officers and associates linked to the case. The inquiry against Mukesh Kumar follows the interrogation of former Excise Secretary IAS Manoj Kumar, who was questioned on Wednesday and again on Thursday.
The bureau is also examining documents seized during raids at the premises of Vinay Singh, a close aide of former Excise Secretary Vinay Kumar Choubey. The ACB has reportedly framed a series of questions based on these documents and other findings, which are being used to interrogate the officials involved.
The investigation into the Jharkhand liquor scam is ongoing, and more officers are likely to be called for questioning as the ACB continues to uncover the financial and administrative lapses that led to the multi-crore fraud.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.