The Chhattisgarh High Court has granted anticipatory bail to retired IAS officer Anil Tuteja in connection with an alleged inter-state liquor policy case.
The case relates to accusations that a group of officials and others were involved in influencing excise policies to benefit certain liquor businesses, allegedly causing financial losses to the government. The investigation is being handled by the state’s Economic Offences Wing and Anti-Corruption Bureau.
While granting relief, the court observed that the material presented so far did not strongly justify immediate arrest. It also noted delays in the investigation process and gaps in the evidence submitted by the prosecution.
The court clarified that the order does not amount to a clean chit. Instead, it protects the accused from arrest at this stage, while allowing the investigation to continue.
During the hearing, the defence argued that the officer had been wrongly implicated and that repeated legal actions were affecting his personal liberty. The prosecution, on the other hand, maintained that the allegations were serious and required thorough investigation.
With this order, Tuteja will not be taken into custody for now, but he is expected to cooperate with investigators as the case progresses.
