Ranchi : The Jharkhand Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has made a significant breakthrough in the ongoing Jharkhand liquor scam, registering a new case against jailed IAS officer Vinay Kumar Chaubey for possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. The revelation comes after evidence surfaced showing monthly cash transfers of ₹1.5 lakh to the bank account of his wife, Swapna Sanchita, from 2017 to 2023.
The ACB’s investigation also implicates seven of Chaubey’s relatives and associates, expanding the scope of the case to include illegal property investments, shell companies, and financial partnerships allegedly used to conceal unaccounted wealth.
₹1.25 Crore in Monthly Transfers to Wife’s Account Raises Red Flags
According to ACB officials, the scam’s financial trail led to a bank account held by Swapna Sanchita, wife of IAS officer Vinay Chaubey. Between 2017 and 2023, a sum of approximately ₹1.25 crore was transferred in monthly installments of ₹1.5 lakh from the account of Vinay Kumar Singh, an operator at Nexgen and a known associate in the liquor business.
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This financial connection reportedly ceased after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched a parallel investigation in Chhattisgarh against Vinay Chaubey and his business links. Once Singh came under the ED’s radar, the transfers stopped abruptly.
Despite being served two notices by the ACB, Vinay Kumar Singh has failed to appear for questioning, raising suspicions about his deeper involvement in the illegal financial network.
Illegal Investments, Shell Firms, and Proxy Owners Identified
Further investigations by the ACB have unearthed a business partnership between Vinay Chaubey and Vinay Singh, with links to real estate investments in the names of various associates. ACB has found that Chaubey’s brother-in-law, Shipij, also played a key role in channeling illicit funds into the purchase of immovable properties registered under Priyanka Trivedi and others.
In addition, Chaubey is accused of using shell companies to hide his illegal income. Two individuals, CA Upendra Sharma and Dhananjay Singh, have been identified as key financial handlers managing these shell firms. Both have been questioned by the ACB regarding their role in laundering proceeds from the liquor scam.
Documents recovered during raids reportedly show significant investments made in real estate and proxy-owned firms. The agency has also started a comprehensive forensic audit of properties and bank accounts belonging to Chaubey and his dependents.
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IAS Officer in Custody, Investigations Widening
Vinay Chaubey, who was arrested on May 20 in the Jharkhand liquor scam, is currently in judicial custody. The ACB has confirmed that investigations into the illegal assets of his family, relatives, and close aides are ongoing. With the discovery of shell company operations, the agency is preparing to file additional charges related to money laundering, benami transactions, and criminal conspiracy.
Officials have also hinted at collaboration with central enforcement agencies, including the ED, to ensure a more robust financial investigation. The ACB has urged Vinay Singh and other non-cooperative individuals to appear before the agency or face legal consequences.