Delhi Liquor Policy scam: ED raids multiple locations in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Enforcement Directorate sleuths are carrying out raids at different locations in Hyderabad in connection with the ongoing investigation into the Delhi Liquor Policy scam. Searches are also underway in Delhi, Gurugram, Chandigarh, and Mumbai. ED is probing the role of PMLA in the alleged fraud.

Earlier the Central Bureau of Investigation sleuths booked Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, IAS officer, and Former Delhi excise commissioner Arava Gopi Krishna of Andhra Pradesh and 14 others in the alleged liquor policy scam. The enforcement agency carried out raids against multiple excise officials, liquor company executives, dealers, and public servants in the alleged liquor policy violations scam.

What led to the CBI raid?

It all began when Praveen Kumar Rai, the director of MHA, asked the CBI to inquire into the irregularities in framing and implementation of the Excise policy of the government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) for the years 2021-22.

The allegation against Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, the then Excise commissioner Arva Gopi Krishna, the then Excise deputy commissioner Anand Tiwari, and assistant commissioner (Excise) Pankaj Bhatnagar was that the officials were instrumental in recommending and taking decisions pertaining to Excise policy 2021-22 without the approval of the competent authority. This was done with an intention to extend undue favors to the liquor license tender, the CBI said.

The CBI in its FIR said Vijay Nair, the former CEO of Only Much Louder, an entertainment and event management firm; Manoj Rai, a former employee of Pernod Ricard; Amandeep Dhal, owner of Brindco Spirits; and Sameer Mahendru, owner of Indo Spirits are actively involved in irregularities in framing and implementation of the Excise policy.

What is Hyderabad's connection to Delhi liquor policy irregularities?

The CBI received a tip-off that L-1 license holders issued credit notes (bills) to retail vendors with an intention to divert funds in order to benefit public servants involved in the irregularities. In addition, 'false entries' were made in the accounts book to keep their record straight.

Further, Amit Arora, the director of Buddy Retail Pvt. in Gurgaon, Dinesh Arora of Delhi, and Arjun Pandey are close associates of Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. The trio was involved in diverting and collecting money from liquor licensees to accused public servants.

Another accused, Sameer Mahendru, MD of Indo Spirits, transferred an amount of Rs. 1 crore to the account of Radha Industries managed by Dinesh Arora. Here comes the role of Hyderabad man. The CBI probe revealed that Arun Ramchandra Pillai, a resident of Kokapet in Hyderabad, used to collect undue pecuniary advantage (money) from Sameer Mahendru of Indo Spirit for onward transmission to the accused public servant through Vijay Nair.

List of Accused:

1. Manish Sisodia- Deputy Chief Minister- Delhi

2.Arva Gopi Krishna, the then Commissioner (Excise) GNCTD of Delhi.

3. Anand Tiwari, the then Deputy Commissioner (Excise), GNCTD of Delhi

4. Pankaj Bhatnagar, Assistant Commissioner (Excise), GNCTD of Delhi.

5. Vijay Nair, former CEO, M/s Only Much Louder, an entertainment and

event management company-Mumbai

6. Manoj Rai, Ex Employee of M/s. Pernod Ricard-Lucknow-226010.

7.Amandeep Dhal. Director, M/s Brindco Sales Pvt. Ltd- New Delhi.

8. Sameer Mahendru, Managing Director Indospirit Group- Delhi

9.Amit Arora, Director, M/s Buddy Retail Private Limited- New Delhi..

10.Dinesh Arora- Delhi

11. Mahadev Liquors - Delhi

12.Sunny Marwah, Authorized Signatory, M/s Mahadev Liquors Delhi.

13. Arun Ramchandra Pillai hails from Villa No. 16- Eden Gardens, Sushee Realty, Kokapet, City, Telangana

14. Arjun Pandey, 87, National Media Center- Gurgaon.

15. Other unknown public servants and private persons.

The CBI has booked the 16 under section 120-B, 477 A of the Indian Penal Code and Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.