Delhi Excise Policy Case: Court Dismisses Bail Plea Of Hyderabad-Based Businessman Arun Pillai

The court stated that the evidence and material collected during the investigation strongly implicated Arun Ramchandra Pillai in the alleged money laundering offence .

A Delhi court on Thursday dismissed the bail application of Hyderabad-based businessman Arun Ramchandra Pillai.(Representational image)

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A Delhi court has rejected the bail plea of Arun Ramchandra Pillai, a businessman from Hyderabad, who is an accused in the Delhi excise policy scam case. According to an IANS report, Special Judge MK Nagpal of Rouse Avenue Court denied Pillai's bail application on Thursday, stating that his involvement in the matter was more severe compared to other accused individuals who are currently in custody. "This court is prima facie of the view that there is a genuine case made out by the investigating agency before this court showing active involvement of the applicant in the commission of the alleged offence of money laundering, and thus, this court is not able to arrive at any finding contrary to the said view," he said, as quoted by IANS.

The court stated that the evidence and material collected during the investigation strongly implicated Arun Ramchandra Pillai in the alleged money laundering offence and his association with other conspirators. Pillai's defence argued that his arrest in the case was unjustified and illegal.

However, the judge dismissed this argument, pointing out that the bail applications of other co-accused, including Sameer Mahendru, Vijay Nair, Abhishek Boinpally, Benoy Babu, P Sarath Chandra Reddy, Raghav Magunta, and Manish Sisodia, had already been rejected by the court. The judge further stated that Pillai's role in the money laundering offence was more grave than that of some of the aforementioned co-accused.

The court noted that Pillai was not merely involved in the conspiracy but was also linked to various actions related to the proceeds of the alleged offence. These actions included concealing, owning, obtaining, or utilising the proceeds and presenting them as legitimate assets.

Additionally, the court stated that the evidence suggested Pillai willingly participated in these activities and had full knowledge of their nature and intentions.

The court further highlighted Pillai's significant and active role in the conspiracy, the formation of a cartel, and the payment and repayment of kickbacks. This conclusion was based not only on Pillai's statements but also on statements provided by other accused individuals, including Dinesh Arora, who has turned approver in a related corruption case, said IANS.

Arun Ramchandra Pillai was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 6 following extensive questioning regarding the case. According to the ED, the alleged cartel involved in the case is referred to as the 'South Group'. The members of this group purportedly include BRS leader K Kavitha, Sarath Reddy (the promoter of Aurobindo Pharma), YSRCP MP from Ongole Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, his son Raghav Magunta, and others.