Liquor scam: Former minister’s son Rohit Oraon skips ED summons

Liquor Scam: Former Minister’s Son Skips ED Summons

Liquor scam – Rohit Oraon, the son of Rameshwar Oraon, a former Jharkhand finance minister, did not show up for a scheduled meeting with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday. The agency had summoned him to provide testimony in the investigation into a liquor scandal linked to alleged financial misconduct. Instead, Oraon formally requested a three-week delay to compile the required documents for the inquiry.

Logistical Challenges and Holiday Impact

Oraon’s absence was attributed to the short notice and overlapping public holidays. According to the Hindustan Times, he explained that the ED’s summons, delivered on June 25, demanded his appearance on June 29. However, the intervening Muharram holiday and the closure of banks and government offices on the fourth Saturday disrupted his ability to prepare adequately.

“Due to the intervening Muharram holiday and fourth Saturday, banks and government offices were closed, making it impossible for me to arrange the required documents in time,” Oraon stated.

Legal Overlap and Pending Tribunal Decision

Oraon also cited a legal overlap as a reason for postponing his interrogation. He mentioned that the specific case under investigation was currently sub-judice, with the ED Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) Tribunal in New Delhi set to deliberate on July 12. The tribunal had previously heard his case following an ED raid on his premises in August 2023, and Oraon claimed the agency now wants him to submit documents already provided in that proceeding.

“A month after the ED raid on my premises in August 2023, I knocked on the door of the Appellate Tribunal for PMLA in New Delhi. The next hearing in the matter is on July 12. The ED wants me to produce all those documents which I produced in the tribunal. As the matter is sub-judice, I sought time to plan properly what to do,” Oraon said.

When questioned about the granted extension, Oraon estimated the situation would be resolved within 2-3 days. This development occurs amid the ED’s broader efforts to target a liquor syndicate suspected of causing significant revenue losses to the state through manipulated government tenders.

The probe also involves accusations of money laundering and illegal collusion, with raids previously conducted in Ranchi and nearby regions. These operations targeted senior officials, political figures, and business leaders tied to the scandal. Rohit Oraon’s father, Rameshwar Oraon, a prominent Congress party member, had held key roles in the Jharkhand cabinet, adding political weight to the ongoing investigation.

The ED is currently assessing Oraon’s request for a three-week grace period. As of now, the agency has not confirmed whether it will approve the extension or issue an immediate summons. The case remains a focal point in the enforcement body’s campaign against the alleged liquor syndicate, with implications extending beyond the individual to the broader political landscape.