Supreme Court Grants Bail To Former Chhattisgarh Excise Commissioner Niranjan Das In Liquor Scam Corruption & Money Laundering Cases
The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to former Chhattisgarh Excise Commissioner Niranjan Das, who was arrested in connection with an alleged corruption and money laundering case arising out of the Chhattisgarh liquor scam.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi ordered Das' release, while clarifying that it was not expressing any opinion on the merits of the allegations against him. The Court said the release would be subject to conditions to be imposed by the trial court.
During the hearing, the Court noted that Das has been in custody since December 19, 2025, and that the trial is likely to take considerable time to conclude.
“The petitioner was the Secretary, Excise Department and subsequently he was posted as Excise Commissioner. He is alleged to have control over the entire process and to have been complicit in the formulation of a beneficial policy in perpetrating the alleged crime. The role assigned to the petitioner is, thus, that of the orchestrator, and he is described as one of the kingpins. It is also alleged that the petitioner grossly abused the public office, causing large-scale financial implications to the State Exchequer,” the Court observed, referring to the allegations against him.
At the same time, the Bench took note of the fact that there are a total of nine accused in the case and that eight of them have already been released in the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case. The Court noted that investigation regarding Das is complete in both corruption and PMLA case, and the chargesheet as well as prosecution complaint has been filed.
"We find the list of witnesses and the documents that are likely to be placed for consideration of the Special Judge, and that the conclusion of the trial will take a reasonable long time", the Court observed.
Considering the period of incarceration, the status of co-accused, and the likely delay in completion of trial, the Court directed Das' release on bail.
The case stems from the alleged Chhattisgarh liquor scam, in which enforcement agencies have alleged large-scale irregularities and corruption in the state's liquor trade, leading to alleged financial losses to the public exchequer.
Case : Niranjan Das v. Directorate of Enforcement | SLP(Crl) No. 6562/2026