The Delhi High Court has rejected a bail application filed by businessman Amandeep Singh Dhall in the Delhi liquor policy scam case, on the ground that he was instrumental and part of the conspiracy since inception.

In that context, the Bench of Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma observed that, "the role of the applicant herein... clearly outlines 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 has been clearly brought out through the statements of various witnesses and approver Sh. Dinesh Arora recorded under Section 161 and 164 of Cr.P.C. by CBI."

The CBI alleged that around Rs. 90-100 crores were advanced to individuals linked to the South Indian liquor business, including Vijay Nair and Manish Sisodia. These kickbacks were supposedly routed back to the conspirators through profit margins and credit notes from wholesale distributors connected to the South liquor lobby. The conspiracy allegedly formed a cartel involving liquor manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers.

On November 25, 2022, the CBI filed the initial chargesheet against seven accused, including Amandeep Singh Dhall. Dhall was arrested on April 18, 2023, following further investigations. 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, prompting him to approach the High Court.

The High Court observed that, "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."

It was further noted that the triple test for the grant of bail was not satisfied by the applicant since many of the witnesses in this case are well known to him and he was also in contact with influential leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi.

The Court also emphasized that the allegations against the applicant were serious in nature and their impact on the society and common man at large has to be considered as a factor while adjudicating an application seeking grant of regular bail.

Dismissing the application, the Court observed that, "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."

Cause Title: Amandeep Singh Dhall vs Central Bureau Of Investigation

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Delhi High CourtJustice Swarna Kanta SharmaLiquor Policy Scam

Ananya Soni