Massive Allegations of ₹100 Crore Bribes in the "Delhi Liquor Scam" Surface, According to a Reporting Agency
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has made two more arrests in a case linked to the controversial alcohol sales policy in Delhi. Benoy Babu, general manager of alcohol company Pernod Ricard, and P Sarath Chandra Reddy, whole-time supervisor and marketer of Aurobindo Pharma, were apprehended on Thursday.
Reddy, who is reported to have controlled nearly 30% of the liquor sales in Delhi through his network, has denied any wrongdoing, claiming the charges are politically motivated. Aurobindo Pharma Limited has stated that Reddy was never involved in the procedures of the firm or its subsidiaries.
The ED's money laundering case stems from a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) FIR that named Manish Sisodia, Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister, as an accused among others. Sisodia has also denied any wrongdoing.
The ED has questioned several individuals in this case, including AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak and minister Satyendar Jain, currently behind bars in another money laundering case. The arrested executives were reportedly associated with the drafting of the Delhi import tax policy with federal government officials and had a role in the 'cartelisation' of the entire network, officials alleged.
The import tax plan came under the scanner after the Delhi Lieutenant Governor suggested a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities in the execution of the Delhi Import Tax Policy 2021-22. The ED has claimed that allurements worth 100 crore were paid for favors entailing the now-scrapped Delhi alcohol sales plan.
The ED also claims that over three dozen VIPs, including Manish Sisodia, allegedly altered as many as 140 cellphones to destroy digital proof. The firms have alleged that investments worth 200 crore in the retail liquor organization were made by an entity in violation of the plan regulations.
The Enforcement Directorate has also questioned the two executives about their alleged role in the 'cartelisation' of the liquor industry in Delhi. The ED claims that the plan was 'leaked' to specific liquor makers well before its launch.
The CBI has also arrested two people in this case - Vijay Nair, former CEO of an entertainment service firm, and liquor business owner Abhishek Boinpally. The name of the other company chief previously arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the alcohol sales plan is not provided in the available information.
Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi's Chief Minister, has backed Manish Sisodia, stating that the companies, which report to the BJP-led government at the centre, have been asked to target leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) before the political elections in Gujarat next month.
Sameer Mahandru, managing director of alcohol making business Indospirit, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in September. The ED has questioned the two executives extensively during the investigation, alleging that they were incredibly elusive.
The Enforcement Directorate asserted that Reddy was sent to 7 days captive of the Enforcement Directorate by the special court in Delhi. The case continues to unfold as the ED continues its investigation into the alleged irregularities in the Delhi alcohol sales policy.
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