Supreme Court Seeks CBI's Response On Businessman Amandeep Singh Dhall's Bail Plea In Delhi Liquor Policy Case

The Supreme Court today issued notice on the bail plea of Amandeep Singh Dhall, businessman and director of Brindco Sales Private Limited, in the corruption case arising out of the alleged Delhi liquor policy 'scam'.

The order was passed by a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan on Dhall's petition assailing Delhi High Court's judgment dated June 4, 2024. Vide this judgment, a Single Judge dismissed his plea for regular bail in the CBI case with the following observation:

“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."

It was further observed that Dhall's 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 High Court also noted how Dhall's 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,” it added.

Notably, Dhall and co-accused Amit Arora were granted regular bail today by the Delhi High Court in the money laundering case arising out of the Delhi liquor policy 'scam'. Before this order, all persons arrested in the liquor policy case had obtained bail (regular or interim), except Dhall.

Case Title: AMANDEEP SINGH DHALL v. CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, SLP(Crl) No. 012036/2024

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