2025 TASMAC scam

The 2025 TASMAC scam is an alleged financial scandal involving Tamil Nadu’s state-run liquor company, TASMAC (Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation).

Overview

On 13 March 2025, TASMAC came under intense scrutiny following allegations of large-scale corruption. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleged that a network involving politicians, bureaucrats, and distillery owners siphoned off more than ₹1,000 crore (US$120 million) through manipulated tenders, inflated expenses, and illegal transactions.^[1][2] Also, irregularities were found in transport and bar license tenders, which involved fake documentation and favoritism.^[3]

According to V. Senthil Balaji, Tamil Nadu Excise Minister; the ED is used by the Central Government to target rival parties and leaders, particularly before an election, with Tamil Nadu set to hold one next year. He also emphasized that the raids were conducted as a pressure tactic amid the ongoing battle between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam vs. Bharatiya Janata Party battle over "Hindi imposition" and "delimitation."^[4]

Investigation

Distillery companies such as SNJ, Kals, Accord, SAIFL, and Shiva Distillery—along with bottling entities such as Devi Bottles, Crystal Bottles, and GLR Holding—colluded with senior government officials to secure undue favors, leading to large-scale financial fraud.^[5][6]