Chandigarh, Aug 24 (IANS): Punjab Police and the state Excise Department have been shielding the liquor mafia and Congress leaders who are involved in the multi-crore liquor scam, former Union Minister and ex-state BJP President Vijay Sampla said on Monday.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh should respond as to why despite repeated requests from the Enforcement Directorate (ED), copies of over 13 FIRs registered against the liquor mafia in Patiala, Mohali and Ludhiana are not being provided, Sampla said in a statement here.

In addition, the details of the accused are not being provided to the ED, he said.

Suspecting money laundering, the ED has sought certain details from the Punjab government. The Senior Superintendents of Police in Patiala, Mohali and Ludhiana (rural) have been sent letters but none of them have replied yet, Sampla said.

The ED has also written to the Director General of Police and the Secretary of the Excise and Taxation Department, but none of them responded, he said.

"This makes it clear that the government is shielding Congress leaders, MLAs, ministers and officials who are involved in this scam," Sampla said.

He said more than 120 people have died after consuming illicit liquor, but the government is shielding the accused.

"Chief Minister Amarinder Singh should immediately take up this matter and provide information to the ED," he added.