The Supreme Court on Monday rejected to entertain the petition of the Enforcement Directorate challenging the six-week interim bail granted to liquor businessman Sameer Mahendru in a money laundering case related to alleged irregularities in the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy.
Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Bela M. Trivedi’s bench informed Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, who was representing the ED, that they would not be interfering with the Delhi High Court’s verdict.
Raju argued that the Delhi High Court ruling should not be used as a precedent because it is shocking and based on false information.
The bench said, “Sorry, for six weeks bail, we are not going to interfere. The period is going to run itself out in the next 10-15 days.”
Mahendru was given a six-week interim bail in the money laundering case on June 12 by the high court due to his ill condition. The high court had noted that the accused had serious illnesses that required prompt medical attention as well as post-operative care. It had stated that everyone has a right to treatment that is both appropriate and efficient.
He must appear before the trial court before or at 5 p.m. on July 25 when the interim bail period has passed.
The court had placed him under a number of restrictions, including not leaving the hospital or his property or leaving the country.
The accused was allegedly one of the main beneficiaries of the excise policy violations, according to the prosecution, because in addition to operating an alcohol manufacturing facility, he was also granted a wholesale licence and many retail licences in the names of his relatives.
Mahendru allegedly gained roughly Rs 50 crore as a result of the alleged irregularities and infractions, according to the prosecution.
Mahendru has been the subject of an enforcement case information report (ECIR) filed by the ED in accordance with the relevant PMLA provisions. The Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) FIR is the source of the money laundering case.
