The Supreme Court on Friday issued a directive to the Chhattisgarh government to conclude its investigation into the state’s former excise official, Arun Pati Tripathi, by April 10, emphasizing that the inquiry into the liquor case cannot “continue endlessly.” Tripathi, accused of masterminding a scheme causing over ₹2,000 crore in losses to the state exchequer, is set to be considered for bail release on the set date.
A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan expressed frustration over the prolonged nature of the investigation, which has already included three charge sheets and involves 300 witnesses. “This cannot continue endlessly. Some day your investigation should end,” the bench remarked during the proceedings.
Tripathi, who served as the chairman of the Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited and as the special secretary in the state excise department, has been accused of facilitating a cartel that controlled liquor distribution in the state. This operation allegedly involved taking commissions from liquor retailers and manipulating the excise department’s policies.
Senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, representing the state, argued for an additional six weeks to complete the investigation, citing the complexity of the case and the need to confront absconding accused. However, the bench cited Article 21 of the Constitution, stressing the importance of the right to a speedy trial and the undue delay already incurred.
“To ensure investigation is not affected, we direct the appellant shall be enlarged on bail on April 10 subject to appropriate terms and conditions fixed by the trial court,” the justices decided, refusing to entertain the idea of canceling bail for other accused in the case.
Additionally, the court ordered the immediate release of three other accused — Anurag Trivedi, Deepak Duari, and Dilip Pandey — while deferring the hearing on the bail pleas of two others, former IAS officer Anil Tuteja and businessman Anwar Dhebar.
Specific conditions were imposed on Tripathi’s release, including the surrender of his passport and a requirement to appear daily before the investigating officer until the final charge sheet is filed. The Enforcement Directorate is also conducting a separate money laundering investigation against Tripathi, who was previously granted bail in that case.
