New Delhi: The role of 68 liquor vends in Delhi will be probed for accepting demonetised currency. The AAP government of the city-state has referred the case to the Enforcement Directorate for investigation.

The Delhi government suspects the role of senior officers of Delhi State Industrial & Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC) and  officials in charge of 68 shops of DSIIDC liquor vends in accepting demonetised notes. 

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Senior Delhi government officials said that, on the directions of industries minister Satyendar Jain, a preliminary departmental inquiry was done which show ed 68 officials in charge of DSIIDC liquor vends were involved in accepting demoneti sed notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 . The total amount of the scandal could be worth Rs 1,30,95,000 circulated in invalidated notes since November 8, 2016, the day  Prime Minister Narendra Modi had declared the notes of aforementioned denominations as illegal tenders.

This matter had come to the knowledge of the Delhi  minister in October 2018. The DSIIDC was repeatedly being directed to refer such money laundering cases to the ED. Following sustained follow-up by the minister, the DSIIDC  has reported these cases to the ED.

Senior official said that the involvement of high-ranking officers of DSIIDC in these activities of money laundering cannot be ruled out. Departmental proceedings have been initiated against the delinquent officials for imposition of appropriate penalties.