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Synopsis

The Delhi High Court, on Tuesday, granted bail to Amit Arora and Amandeep Singh Dhall regarding their involvement in the now-defunct liquor excise policy scam. The Bench of Justice Neena Bansal Krishna presided over the matter. 

Businessman Amit Arora was previously granted interim bail on grounds of his medical condition. It was contended that Amit Arora was suffering from a life-threatening disease and was admitted to the hospital.

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. 

However, Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan, representing Amandeep Singh Dhall, referred to the Supreme Court’s judgment granting bail to Manish Sisodia on August 9, Kavitha on August 27, and Vijay Nair on September 2. It was contended that all individuals involved in the case were granted bail. Therefore, it was contended that Dhall was also entitled for bail.  

The bench of Justice Neena Bansal Krishna, reserved the order, noting that “There is well-founded apprehension of the applicant herein influencing the witnesses and tampering with the evidence as, as a testament to the same, an FIR stands registered against the accused,".

Previously, the bench led by Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma dismissed Dhall's plea for regular bail in the case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Recent Updates:

The Supreme Court granted bail to the Chief Minister Arvid Kejriwal in the case registered by the CBI. Kerjiwal had approached the Supreme Court after his petition, challenging the arrest by the CBI, was dismissed by the Delhi High Court.

The Delhi High Court dismissed Kejriwal's plea noting that the arrest by CBI was legal. Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi contended that no offense was established against Kejriwal under Section 3 of the PMLA, and his life and liberty should have been protected from unjustified violations by the ED, which he claimed acted with malicious intent. However, Special Public Prosecutor DP Singh, representing CBI, termed Kejriwal as the 'sutradhar' (mastermind) of the policy scam.

In July, 2024, the Chief Minister was granted interim bail by Supreme Court noting that "He is the Chief Minister of a state and the elected leader. Considering his right to life and liberty and the fact that he has been in jail for over 90 days, we are of the view that Kejriwal is entitled to be released on interim bail”. He was also granted interim bail by the Supreme Court to campaign for the general elections.