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Synopsis

The Supreme Court has today granted bail to businessman Amandeep Singh Dhall in the case registered by CBI in relation to Delhi liquor policy scam.

Dhall had approached the Supreme Court against a Delhi High Court decision from June 2024 denying him bail on the ground of there being well-founded apprehension of him influencing the witnesses and tampering with the evidence. 

A division bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan noted that there were around 300 witnesses to be examined by the CBI in the matter and that the trial is yet to commence.

CBI alleged that approximately Rs. 90-100 crores were allegedly advanced to individuals associated with the South Indian liquor business, known as the ‘South Group’, including Vijay Nair and Manish Sisodia. These kickbacks were supposedly routed back to the conspirators through wholesale distributors' profit margins and credit notes issued to retail zone licensees connected to the South liquor lobby. This conspiracy also allegedly formed a cartel involving liquor manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers.

The initial chargesheet against seven accused, including Amandeep Singh Dhall, was filed by the CBI on November 25, 2022. Additional investigations led to the arrest of the Dhall on April 18, 2023. Supplementary chargesheets were submitted on April 25, 2023, and July 8, 2023, against other accused individuals. Dhall’s bail application was denied by the trial court on June 9, 2023. He then approached the High Court. 

Notably, in September, Delhi High Court, had granted bail to Amit Arora and Amandeep Singh Dhall in the ED case regarding their involvement in the now-defunct liquor excise policy scam. 

Amandeep Singh Dhall, director of Brindco Sales Private Limited, had also filed a plea seeking bail. However, Advocate Vivek Gurnani, representing the Enforcement Directorate, vehemently opposed the bail contending that argued that Dhall made attempts to tamper with the witness. 

Case Title: Amandeep Dhall vs. CBI