ED arrests two people in Delhi excise policy

Two people were arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday in connection with its money laundering probe into the Delhi excise policy 2021–22.

According to people familiar with the situation, the arrested individuals were P Sarath Chandra Reddy of Aurobindo Pharma Group and Vinoy Babu of wine and spirits company Pernod Ricard.

Babu assumed significant responsibilities at his company, while Reddy served as a director. What roles the two played in the excise policy were not yet clear, according to ED. The development and implementation of the now-scrapped policy are believed to have been influenced by companies.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has questioned Manish Sisodia, the deputy chief minister of Delhi, who has been listed as an accused party in the case.

The goal of the policy was to replace a sales-volume-based system with a licence fee system for company owners in order to revive the city’s flagging liquor industry. It guaranteed classier stores without the dreaded metal grilles, providing clients with a better shopping experience overall. A first for Delhi, the policy also included discounts and offers on the purchase of alcoholic beverages.

When Delhi’s lieutenant governor, Vinai Kumar Saxena, suggested a CBI investigation into potential irregularities, the plan came to an abrupt halt. The policy was terminated as a result of this.