Ranchi. The corruption probe against suspended IAS officer Vinay Kumar Choubey is taking new turns as investigators widen the net to family members and close relatives. In the high-profile Jharkhand liquor scam and disproportionate assets (DA) case, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has expanded its investigation beyond the officer himself. As part of this effort, a raid was conducted at a homeopathic clinic run by his sister-in-law in Ranchi’s Ashok Nagar area, throwing up fresh leads on an alleged black-money trail.
Investigating agencies suspect that proceeds of corruption were not held directly in the officer’s name but were systematically invested and parked through relatives’ bank accounts, businesses, and immovable properties. According to the ACB, the action forms part of a broader strategy to trace the source of illicit funds, establish layers of transactions, and identify their final utilisation.
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During the search operation, ACB teams seized bank passbooks, documents related to suspicious transactions, digital devices, and several important files linked to the clinic’s financial activities. These materials have been sent for forensic and financial examination to ascertain the origin of funds and possible layering. The agency is also examining whether the clinic functioned solely as a medical establishment or was allegedly used as a shell structure for benami investments.
From Corridors of Power to the Dock
A 1999-batch IAS officer, Choubey was once regarded as one of the most powerful bureaucrats in Jharkhand. He held several key portfolios in the state government and was considered a close administrative aide of Chief Minister Hemant Soren for an extended period. His perceived influence in administrative and political circles earned him the informal label of a “Super CM”.
However, questions raised over the excise policy implemented in 2022 altered the trajectory of his career. What began as an inquiry into alleged policy irregularities gradually escalated into a criminal investigation. This ultimately led to his arrest and suspension. The ACB alleges that deliberate changes were made to the excise policy to benefit an interstate liquor syndicate, resulting in substantial revenue losses for the state.
Probe Hinges on Three Major Allegations
According to investigating agencies, the case against Choubey rests on three core charges.
The first relates to the liquor scam, in which amendments to the 2022 excise policy are alleged to have provided undue benefits to an interstate liquor network. The estimated loss to the Jharkhand government is pegged at around ₹129 crore.
The second pertains to a land scam linked to his tenure in Hazaribagh. Choubey is accused of playing a role in transferring government and forest land into private hands using forged or manipulated documents, in violation of land and environmental regulations.
The third involves the disproportionate assets case. The ACB claims that the movable and immovable assets held by Choubey and his family members exceed his known sources of income by nearly 53 per cent. While his legitimate income has been assessed at approximately ₹2.20 crore, total transactions and investments worth more than ₹3.47 crore have reportedly been detected.
Relatives at the Centre of the Investigation
ACB officials say the role of relatives is a critical aspect of the ongoing probe. There is suspicion that alleged illegal earnings were routed through the accounts and businesses of parents-in-law, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and other close associates. The recent raid at the sister-in-law’s clinic is being viewed as a key step in establishing this suspected money trail.
Investigators indicate that if the seized documents conclusively link the flow of funds, more individuals could be questioned or brought under the ambit of the investigation, potentially widening the scope of legal action.
Interstate Links and the Road Ahead
The probe has now moved beyond Jharkhand. Sources say similarities have been found between Jharkhand’s excise policy and models adopted in other states. During the investigation, consultancy, supply-chain and financial links connected to Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu have surfaced. Agencies suspect that a significant portion of the alleged scam proceeds was laundered through shell companies and invested in real estate and commercial projects outside the state.
The suspended IAS officer is currently lodged in Birsa Munda Central Jail under judicial custody. Although he has secured default bail in one case, legal proceedings in the land scam and disproportionate assets matters are ongoing. The ACB, along with other central agencies, is conducting a detailed scrutiny of the seized records. Officials say that in the coming days, questioning, seizures and possible arrests may intensify as the investigation progresses.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
