New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday arrested two executives linked to liquor trade in connection with the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case. Benoy Babu of Pernod Ricard and Sharath Reddy of Aurobindo Pharma have been arrested under sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).


The two businessmen belong to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. They were arrested following day-long questioning with them at the Enforcement Directorate headquarters on Wednesday.


Sarath Chandra Reddy is a graduate of Business Administration and a second-generation entrepreneur. He belongs to the promoter group. He has experience in general management and project executions.


Sarath Chandra, is the brother of P Rohit Reddy who happens to be the son-in-law of Yuvajana Shramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) Rajya Sabha MP Vijaya Sai Reddy.


Sarath Chandra Reddy is also named in Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's quid pro quo case investigated by the CBI and the ED. 


Sarath Reddy, reported to be the head of a Hyderabad-based Aurobindo Pharma company, is engaged in the liquor business, as per ANI.


The businessmen will be produced before a special court later in the day in the national capital, ANI reported.


The federal agency has conducted multiple raids in this case to date and had also arrested Sameer Mahandru, a liquor businessman and managing director of liquor manufacturing company Indospirit. 


Excise Policy Scam: Delhi Court Reserves Order On Two Accused’s Bail Pleas 


A Delhi court on Wednesday reserved for November 14 its order on the bail applications of businessmen Vijay Nair and Abhishek Boinpally in connection with the alleged Delhi excise policy scam case, PTI reported.


Both accused have claimed that they were not required for further interrogation and that no purpose would be served by keeping them in further custody.


Special Judge MK Nagpal reserved the order after hearing arguments made by the lawyers appearing for the accused as well as the Central Bureau Of Investigation (CBI).


According to PTI, the CBI opposed the bail plea of Nair, who is associated with AAP, saying that he entered into a criminal conspiracy with others, and in furtherance of the conspiracy, the excise policy of the government of the national capital territory of Delhi (GNCTD) of 2021-2022 was framed and implemented.


While opposing Boinpally’s application, the agency told the court that it was revealed through the statements of witnesses and the perusal of bank accounts that he was part of repeated meetings at Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad with other accused and liquor traders in connection with the formulation of liquor policy and to derive benefits from it.


A total of nine private persons were named in the FIR including Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.


Notably, the Delhi court will also determine on November 14, whether to grant the CBI permission to appoint businessman Dinesh Arora, a "close aide" of Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, as an approver in the Delhi excise policy case. Arguments regarding Arora's request for a pardon and permission to testify in the case will also be heard by Special Judge M K Nagpal.


The CBI filed a case in the excise policy scam in August and sent out a lookout circular (LOC) warning eight people who were designated as suspects.


Besides Sisodia, former excise commissioner Arva Gopi Krishna, deputy commissioner Anand Tiwari, and assistant commissioner Pankaj Bhatnagar are among the accused persons.


Manish Sisodia's Personal Aide Questioned By ED


Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia's personal aide Devendra Sharma was questioned for over 10 hours by the Enforcement Directorate.


The money laundering charge stems from a CBI FIR that named Sisodia as an offender among others. Following the filing of the complaint, the CBI raided the deputy chief minister's office and the offices of various Delhi government personnel.


In July, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena asked the CBI to look into possible irregularities in the implementation of Delhi's Excise Policy 2021-22.


According to the ED and the CBI, irregularities were committed while changing the Excise Policy, excessive favours were given to licence holders, the licence price was waived or decreased, and the L-1 licence was extended without the approval of the appropriate authorities.


(With Agency Inputs)