SC grants bail to businessman Amandeep Singh Dhall in connection with Delhi liquor scam

New Delhi, October 25, 2024 – The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to businessman Amandeep Singh Dhall in connection with Delhi’s liquor policy irregularities case.

However, the Supreme Court has suggested the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to focus on the quality of prosecution instead of the number of witnesses and concentrate on witnesses.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan directed to release Amandeep Singh Dhall on bail on various conditions including that he will attend the proceedings in the trial court on each date of hearing.

During the hearing, the top court also remarked that the message was hardened as white-collar criminals think that nothing will happen and either they have to remain inside for some period and then get away, nothing will happen.Hence the top court suggested the CBI concentrate on conviction rate and focus on the quality of prosecution witnesses instead of number.

The top court also noted that the 300 witnesses that which CBI proposes to examine may take a longer time to conclude the trial. The top court also noted that the accused has been in jail in the present case since April 2023.

The top court also noted that other co-accused including former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is out on bail in the present case.

The top court was hearing the bail plea of Amandeep Singh Dhall, businessman and director of Brindco Sales Private Limited in a corruption case related to liquor policy irregularities being probed by the CBI.

The ED and the CBI had alleged that irregularities were committed while modifying the excise policy, undue favors were extended to licence holders, the licence fee was waived or reduced and the L-1 license was extended without the competent authority’s approval.

The L-1 licence is granted to a business entity having wholesale distribution experience in the liquor trade in any state for at least five years.