SC issues notice to ED; stays non-bailable warrant issued against accused Anwar Dhebar

A bench led by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul also issued notice to the Enforcement Directorate on the plea filed by Anwar Dhebar challenging the Raipur court's order.

A special court of Raipur in Chhattisgarh on October 13 2023 directed the issuance of non-bailable warrants against Anwar Dhebar.

Challenging the NBW issued against him in SC, Anwar Dhebar also sought to issue direction not to take any coercive steps against him.

Anwar Dhebar was represented by Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi and Advocate-on-record Malak Manish Bhat.

In the plea, Anwar Dhebar apprised the court with the facts related to the matter. The application copy also reiterated the top court's order to stay in the hands of the Respondent Agency. However the High Court on October 7 dismissed the Anwar Dhebar bail plea. Anwar Dhebar has challenged the said HC order in the Supreme Court.

"That in absolute violation of the Order dated 18.07.2023 passed by this Court, the Respondent agency preferred an application dated 09.10.2023 before the Ld special judge, Raipur seeking issuance of non-bailable warrants against the Applicant herein. Such Application itself is in violation of the Order dated 18.07.2023 passed by this Court as the hands of the Respondent Agency were "stayed in all manner" by this Court and thus the Respondent Agency ought not have filed the aforesaid Application," the application copy read.

Earlier the court asked the Enforcement Directorate to hold their hand for the time being in the money laundering matter related to the Chhattisgarh liquor irregularities case.

The top court had directed ED not to take coercive steps against the petitioners including Anil and Yash Tuteja in a money laundering matter related to the Chhattisgarh liquor irregularities case and also remarked that the probe agency must keep their hands in all manner.

ED investigation has revealed that Arun Pati Tripathi through his direct actions at the insistence of Anwar Dhebar, corrupted the entire liquor system of Chhattisgarh to maximize corruption in the department. He made policy changes in conspiracy with his other colleagues and gave tenders to associates of Anwar Dhebar so that maximum benefits could be taken.

Despite being a senior ITS Officer and MD of CSMCL, he went against the ethos of the functioning of any State Excise Department and used the State-run shops to sell unaccounted kacha liquor, ED has alleged.

ED alleged that his complicit actions resulted in massive losses to the State Exchequer and filled the pockets of the beneficiaries of the Liquor Syndicate with more than Rs 2000 Crore in illegal proceeds of crime. He also received a substantial share in this loot.

Thus, the very objective of CSMCL to increase the State's revenue and to provide quality controlled liquor to citizens was violated by him for his personal illegal gains, read the official statement.

ED has conducted consequential search operations at locations in Raipur, Bhilai and Mumbai and the searches have resulted in the discovery of 53 acres of land in Naya Raipur having a book value of Rs 21.60 crore acquired by Anwar Dhebar by using proceeds of crime in the name of a JV.

This property was purchased through a maze of transactions in the name of an associate by routing proceeds of crime acquired from the FL-10A licensee. During recent search proceedings, ED has seized cash worth Rs 20 lacs and multiple incriminating documents, mentioned the official statement.

In searches in Mumbai, unaccounted investments worth around Rs 1 Crore, with a Share trading firm in the name of Arvind Singh and Pinki Singh w/o Arvind Singh were found and the same have been frozen under PMLA.

Earlier, ED had frozen Fixed Deposits worth Rs 27.5 Crore from Trilok Singh Dhillon. Earlier, ED had seized jewellery worth Rs 28 Crore from the house of a Country Liquor Distiller. (ANI)