NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to Amandeep Singh Dhall, a businessman, in a corruption case registered by the CBI in connection with the Delhi liquor policy scam.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan granted relief to then Managing Director of Brindco Sales Private Limited, having noted that there were nearly 300 witnesses in the CBI’s case, proposed to be examined, and, as a result, the trial would not likely be concluded soon.
Supreme Court Grants Bail to Amandeep Singh Dhall in Delhi Liquor Policy Case
The bench asked the CBI’s counsel to focus on the conviction rate to send across a message to white-collar criminals.
"You must concentrate on your conviction rate. The quality of your witnesses needs to be focused on, instead of number," the bench told the CBI’s counsel.
With this order, all the accused in the liquor policy case have reportedly secured bail.
CBI Urged to Focus on Conviction Rate as Trial Likely to Extend Due to Numerous Witnesses
Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, and BRS MLC K Kavitha, among others have already been granted bail in the case.
The bench also noted that Dhall has been incarcerated for over 500 days and his further detention would not serve any purpose.
Senior advocate Siddharth Dave on behalf of Dhall submitted before the bench all co-accused have got bail except his client. Earlier, Dhall was granted bail in the money laundering case related to liquor policy.
The bench, while granting relief to Dhall, made it clear that it has not expressed anything on the merits of the case.
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The court also clarified the bail is subject to terms that will be set by the trial court.
Dhall challenged the Delhi High Court's judgement of June 4, 2024, which refused to grant him regular bail in the CBI’s case. He was arrested by the CBI in April last year in connection with the case.
Dhall allegedly conspired with other accused and was "actively" involved in the formulation of the liquor policy and facilitating kickbacks to the AAP and its recoupment by the "South Group" through various means.
According to the CBI and the ED, irregularities were committed while modifying the excise policy and undue favours extended to licence holders.
The CBI was registered the case on August 17, 2022z resulting into arrest of several accused.
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