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Synopsis

A Delhi Court on Monday granted two weeks' interim bail to accused Amit Arora, the Director of Buddy Retail Pvt. Ltd, arrested by the Directorate of Enforcement in connection with the alleged Delhi Excise Policy scam case.

Special Judge M.K. Nagpal of the Rouse Avenue Court, Delhi was hearing an application by Amit Arora seeking interim bail for eight weeks as his wife has been diagnosed with gallbladder stones and needs surgery.

The court noted that his wife has been suffering from Cholelithiasis, or gallstones, for a long time and that surgery to remove them is scheduled for February 1 in a hospital in Gurugram. It was also noted that Arora is the family's sole breadwinner.

The court also noted that his family consists of his wife and four minor children, two daughters in tenth and seventh grades, and two infant sons, aged around two years and eight months. Arora’s parents' stand already expired and even his father-in-law has expired, only his mother-in-law who is 72 years old is there.

The Special Judge observed, “The court is satisfied that the family and wife of the applicant will certainly require the presence and care of the applicant during this critical time as the surgery for removal of gallbladder stones is a major surgery and though not generally life-threatening, but to be performed after administration of general anesthesia”.

Accordingly, the court granted Arora two weeks' interim bail on furnishing a personal bond of Rs. 2 lakhs with one surety of like amount and directed him not to leave Delhi NCR unless, and until the same is necessary in connection with his wife’s treatment.

Additionally, the Special Judge clarified that Arora cannot seek any extension of his interim bail on any grounds and that if the proposed surgery of his wife does not take place on February 2, 2023, or, at most, on the next following date, he has been directed to surrender before the Jail Superintendent concerned by 6 pm on February 2, 2023. Court added that he can seek his interim bail afresh after the surgery is rescheduled.

Furthermore, the court stated that in case the surgery is performed as per the schedule, Arora shall surrender before the Jail Superintendent concerned by 6 pm on February 13, 2023.

Amit Arora’s name is mentioned both in the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation cases as accused along with Dinesh Arora, another director of Buddy Retail Pvt Ltd. Other accused persons include Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, the then Excise Commissioner Arva Gopi Krishna, Deputy Commissioner Anand Tiwari, and Assistant Commissioner Pankaj Bhatnagar, Manoj Rai, a former employee of Pernod Ricard; Amandeep Dhal, director of Brindco Sales; authorized signatories of Mahadev Liquors Sunny Marwah, Arun Ramchandra Pillai, Arjun Pandey, and others.

Case Title: ED v. Amit Arora & Ors.