The Supreme Court on Tuesday postponed the bail hearing for Vijay Nair, former Aam Aadmi Party communication in-charge, who is entangled in a money laundering case concerning the Delhi excise policy scandal. Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti granted a week’s extension at the request of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for filing a counter affidavit.
The bench stated, “Reluctantly, time prayed for is granted,” indicating a hesitant agreement to the delay. This adjournment comes after the top court had issued a notice to the ED on August 12, acknowledging that Nair has been detained for two years since his arrest on November 13, 2022.
Senior advocates Abhishek Singhvi and Vikram Chaudhary, representing Nair, highlighted that their client has been challenging the trial court’s July 29 order which dismissed his default bail plea. Previously, on July 3 last year, the high court had also denied bail to Nair and other co-accused in this high-profile case.
The case originates from a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) FIR, prompted by Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena’s recommendation for a probe into the excise policy for the year 2021-22, which was subsequently abolished amid controversy. According to the CBI, Nair and other co-accused allegedly engaged with liquor manufacturers and distributors in various cities to orchestrate illicit financial transactions through hawala channels, purportedly to provide kickbacks to the AAP in exchange for favors.
Businessman Abhishek Boinpally, accused alongside Nair, is alleged to have participated in these meetings and contributed to the conspiracy to launder money. Sameer Mahendru, managing director of the Indospirit Group, a key player in the liquor distribution industry, is another notable figure in this complex case.
Following Mahendru’s arrest, the ED conducted extensive raids across nearly three dozen locations in Delhi and Punjab. Other prominent figures implicated include former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, former excise commissioner Arva Gopi Krishna, and several other officials from the excise department.*
The investigation by both the CBI and the ED alleges that the policy modifications were irregular and provided undue advantages to license holders. Amidst allegations of corruption, the Delhi government retracted the controversial excise policy in September 2022, only months after its implementation.
