Supreme Court Grants Interim Bail to Businessman in Delhi Excise Policy ‘Scam’ Due to Wife’s Health

In a recent development, the Supreme Court has granted five-week interim bail to Hyderabad-based businessman Abhishek Boinpally, who is embroiled in a money-laundering case related to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam. The apex court’s decision comes in light of his wife’s deteriorating health condition.

A bench comprising Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Datta took note of Boinpally’s prolonged detention of 18 months and granted him interim bail to attend to his ailing wife. However, the court imposed several conditions on him, including surrendering his passport, remaining within the National Capital Region except for essential travel to Hyderabad, and providing a contact number to the Enforcement Directorate for communication purposes.

Boinpally’s bail plea also challenges the Delhi High Court’s order dated July 3, 2023, which dismissed his petition questioning the legality of his arrest on October 9, 2022. His challenge revolves around the alleged non-compliance with Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), which outlines the procedure for arrest.

The underlying case revolves around the implementation of the Delhi excise policy for 2021-22, which was initially enacted on November 17, 2021, and subsequently scrapped in September 2022 amidst corruption allegations. Both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have alleged irregularities in modifying the excise policy and extending undue favors to license holders.

The money-laundering investigation originated from a CBI FIR prompted by Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena’s recommendation to probe alleged irregularities in implementing the excise policy. Boinpally is alleged to have participated in clandestine meetings and conspired with co-accused Sameer Mahendru, a liquor businessman, to launder money.

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