Businessman gets bail in Delhi liquor policy case, all accused now out of jail

With businessman Amandeep Singh Dhall receiving bail from the Supreme Court, all accused in the Delhi liquor policy corruption case have now been granted bail.

In Short

• Supreme Court notes trial in liquor policy case unlikely to conclude in near future
• Orders Amandeep Singh Dhall's release, trial court to set conditions
• All accused in both CBI, ED cases are now out on bail

The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to a Delhi-based businessman, Amandeep Singh Dhall, in the corruption case linked to the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam. With this, all the accused in the CBI case have now been granted bail, including AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and other leaders Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, and BRS leader K Kavitha.

According to probe agencies, Dall, director of Brindco Sales Private Limited, conspired with other persons and was actively involved in the formation of the liquor policy and facilitating kickbacks to the AAP and its recoupment by the South Group through various means. He was arrested in March 2023.

The bench observed that the CBI intends to examine around 300 witnesses, suggesting that the trial is unlikely to conclude in the near future. Dhall's lawyer highlighted in court that his client has been incarcerated for 557 days and is currently the only individual remaining in custody related to the case. A chargesheet has also been submitted.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan ordered the release of Dhal, and the lower court will decide his bail conditions.

When the CBI's lawyer argued that Dhall was facing a separate case for allegedly attempting to bribe Enforcement Directorate officials. The Supreme Court responded by advising the CBI to prioritise securing a conviction for the accused.

The businessman has already been granted bail in the money laundering case by the Delhi High Court and the Enforcement Directorate in September, along with another businessman, Amit Arora. With this, all accused in the money laundering case being probed by the Enforcement Directorate have also received bail.

The Delhi Excise Policy case involves allegations of corruption and irregularities in the formulation and implementation of the Delhi Excise Policy by the then Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government. However, the policy encountered vehement opposition and allegations of procedural irregularities, ultimately leading to its annulment in August 2022.