Liquor Policy: Delhi High Court Denies Bail To Businessman Amandeep Singh Dhall

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday denied bail to businessman and director of Brindco Sales Private Limited, Amandeep Singh Dhall, in the corruption case connected to the alleged excise policy scam case.

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

“Considering the overall facts and circumstances of the case, seriousness of the allegations and the evidence collected by the prosecution, and when charges are yet to be framed and evidence is yet to be recorded, and the fact that an FIR already stands registered against the applicant for paying bribe to an officer of Directorate of Enforcement for getting his name removed from the present case, this Court does not find any ground for grant of bail to the applicant, at this stage,” the court said.

Justice Sharma observed that Dhall's role as to how he was instrumental and part of the conspiracy since its inception, and his role in payment of additional credit notes worth Rs. 4.97 crores was clearly brought out through the statements of various witnesses and approver Dinesh Arora.

“Moreover, since many of the witnesses in this case are well known to the present applicant and the applicant herein was also in contact with influential leaders of Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi Government for hatching conspiracy, this Court holds that the triple test for grant of bail is not satisfied by the applicant herein,” the court said.

It observed that there was a well-founded apprehension of Dhall influencing the witnesses and tampering with the evidence.

On Dhall's role, Justice Sharma noted that his father had given Rs. 5 crores to a Chartered Accountant for arranging help in Directorate of Enforcement, in respect of the on-going investigation.

“These allegations are prima facie supported by the statements of the witnesses and approver recorded under Section 161 and 164 of Cr.P.C., as well as documentary evidence in the form of recovery of incriminating documents from the premises of applicant, WhatsApp chats, etc,” the court said.

It further noted that the material on record prima facie revealed that Dhall was in criminal conspiracy with the co-accused Vijay Nair and was instrumental in facilitating and arranging meetings with members of South Group.

Counsel for Petitioner: Mr. N. Hariharan, Senior Advocate with Mr. Vedant Varma, Mr. Tanveer Ahmad Mir, Mr. Shashwat Sarin, Ms. Ariana Ahluwalia, Ms. Punya Rekha Angara, Mr. Mueed Shah, Mr. Shaurea Tyagi and Ms. Anushka Khaitan, Advocates

Counsel for Respondent: Mr. D.P. Singh, SPP for CBI with Mr. Manu Mishra, Ms. Shreya Dutt, Advocates

Title: AMANDEEP SINGH DHALL v. CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Del) 685

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