[Liquor Policy Scam} 'He Bribed ED Officials’: CBI Tells Supreme Court During Bail Hearing of Amandeep Dhall
"Lordship I would like to file a brief affidavit. The only distinguishing factor is that he has bribed the ED officials," the CBI told the court.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has submitted before the Supreme Court today that Amandeep Dhall, a businessman accused in the liquor policy scam, allegedly bribed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials.
The bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan asked the CBI to file their reply and further listed the matter for hearing on 22 October.
Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Amandeep Dhall told the court that he has been in jail for 550 days and that everyone in the liquor policy scam is now out on bail.
Refuting the arguments made, the CBI submitted that the distinguishing factor was that Dhall tried to bribe the ED officials and that another case had been registered against him.
In response, Senior Advocate Singhvi said the persons who are alleged to have been bribed are neither the investigating officers nor are they connected with the liquor scam case.
Notably, in July of this year, the Delhi High Court denied bail to businessman Amandeep Singh Dhall, citing a well-founded apprehension that he might influence witnesses and tamper with evidence in the Delhi liquor policy scam case.
“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”, the bench of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma held.
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.
The court observed the FIR registered against Dhall for allegedly paying bribes to influence the investigation. This raised concerns about his potential to influence witnesses and tamper with evidence. Given his connections to influential figures and the serious nature of the allegations, the court found no grounds for bail at this stage. The court, therefore, dismissed the bail application.
Case Title: Amandeep Singh Dhall v Directorate Of Enforcement (Bail Application- 2761/2024)