Ranchi: The Enforcement Directorate had included 26 FIRs lodged in various police stations in the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) filed in connection with the investigation of the liquor scam. Of these, the lower courts had taken cognizance in 11 cases. Jharkhand High Court has canceled the cognizance taken by the lower courts in these 11 cases. These cases were registered in different police stations of Jamtara district. The main reason for the order passed by the High Court is that the police officers are not conducting forensic investigation of the seized illicit liquor.
What is the whole matter:
ED had included 26 FIRs lodged in police stations in the IIR registered during the investigation of the liquor scam. Liquor businessman Yogendra Tiwari and people related to him were made accused in these FIRs. Of the 26 FIRs included in the ECIR by the ED, 11 were registered in various police stations of Jamtara district. After investigation, the police had submitted charge sheet against the accused. On the basis of this, the lower courts had taken cognizance against the accused. This action of the lower court was challenged by the accused in the High Court. The petition of the accused was heard in the court of Justice Gautam Kumar Chaudhary. During the hearing, it was argued on behalf of the accused that during the period of investigation, all the traders had licenses to sell liquor.
After the expiry of the license issued earlier, the government had renewed it. During the investigation, the police had claimed that the liquor was fake. Also, Section 420 of IPC was used in the FIR on charges of conspiring for illegal sale of liquor. It was also argued on behalf of the accused that the seized liquor was released in favor of the traders. Therefore there is no question of it being fake. After hearing the arguments of all the parties, the court canceled the cognizance taken by the lower court in 11 cases of Jamtara.