Delhi High Court Grants Bail in Liquor Scam Case

The Delhi High Court granted bail to liquor businessman Sameer Mahendru and Aam Aadmi Party volunteer Chanpreet Singh Rayat in a money-laundering case linked to the alleged Delhi excise scam. The Enforcement Directorate accused them of irregularities and cash fund management in the AAP's Goa Assembly campaign.

The Delhi High Court has granted bail to Sameer Mahendru, a liquor businessman, and Chanpreet Singh Rayat, a volunteer of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), in connection to a high-profile money-laundering case involving the Delhi excise scam.

Justice Neena Bansal Krishna announced the decision amid allegations of policy irregularities and undue advantages extended to licence holders. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) have been investigating the matter, which also involves high-profile individuals, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

The federal agency contends that significant bribes were paid to secure a prime position in Delhi's liquor market as part of the now-scrapped 2021-22 excise policy. The ED has linked a portion of these funds to the AAP's 2022 Goa Assembly campaign.

(With inputs from agencies.)