Supreme Court Grants Bail to Vijay Nair in Delhi Excise Policy Scam

The Supreme Court has granted bail to Vijay Nair, former AAP communication in-charge, in a money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy scam. Emphasizing the principle that 'bail is rule and jail is exception,' the court noted Nair's 22-month incarceration. The case originated from a CBI probe into alleged policy irregularities.

The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to Vijay Nair, former AAP communication in-charge, in a money laundering case tied to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam, asserting that liberty is 'sacrosanct'.

Referencing the legal doctrine 'bail is rule and jail is exception', the apex court noted that pre-trial detention should not serve as punishment. Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti highlighted Nair's 22-month imprisonment in a case where the maximum penalty is seven years.

Earlier, on August 12, the bench had requested a response from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding Nair's bail plea. Nair, detained on November 13, 2022, had contested the trial court's rejection of his default bail in July. The High Court had also denied bail last year, citing links to a CBI investigation prompted by Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena's recommendation.

(With inputs from agencies.)