[Delhi Liquor Excise Policy] Supreme Court grants bail to Amandeep Singh Dhall in CBI case

Supreme Court: In a challenge to the Delhi High Court’s Judgment dismissing the bail plea filed by Amandeep Singh Dhall, businessman and director of Brindco Sales Private Limited in the corruption case arising out of the Delhi Liquor policy scam, the division bench of Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan, JJ. granted him bail.

Background:

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Amandeep on 18-04-2023. According to the allegations, he was involved in the formulation of the Delhi liquor policy from the outset and maintained close contact with co-accused Vijay Nair. He was allegedly responsible for arranging meetings between Vijay Nair and various officials, as well as representatives from different liquor manufacturers during the development of the excise policy.

The Trial Court dismissed his bail plea in the CBI case on 09-06-2023. Subsequently, the Delhi High Court denied him bail on 04-06-2024, prompting an appeal to the Supreme court.

Court’s Order:

The Court noted that there are approximately 300 witnesses whom the CBI intends to examine, making it unlikely for the trial to conclude in the near future. Additionally, Amandeep Singh Dhall has been in custody for nearly 1.5 years. Consequently, the Bench opined that his continued detention would not serve any purpose.

It is to be noted that Amandeep had already been granted bail by the Delhi High Court in the money laundering case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate, related to the Delhi Excise Policy, under an order passed on 17-09-2024.

The Court clarified that it has not commented on the merits of the case and that bail is contingent upon the terms set by the trial court, as well as Amandeep’s cooperation during the trial.