Delhi Excise Policy Case: HC Permits Accused Sameer Mahendru To Travel Abroad

Delhi elections

The Delhi High Court on Thursday has permitted liquor businessman and accused in Delhi excise policy case, to travel abroad for business purposes.

The bench of Justice Rahul Mahajan allowed Mahendru to travel to the United Arab Emirates to attend a meeting scheduled for January 29.

Court permitted him for his foreign trip from January 28 to January 31, 2025.

However, during the hearing of the case, the lawyer appearing for ED opposed this and said that Mahendru is needed for the trial.

ED expressed concern that Mahendru had not submitted sufficient documentation to support the details of the meeting.

Earlier, while granting bail to Sameer Mahendru, the court had imposed a condition that he cannot leave the country without the prior approval of the court.

Opposing the bail petition filed by Sameer Mahendru, CBI and ED had said that by making changes in the Excise policy, the businessman was unfairly benefited. Not only this, bribes were also taken in return.

Mahendru is accused of being a significant beneficiary of violations in the controversial Delhi excise policy, which was implemented by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government in 2021.

He was arrested on September 28, 2022. The ED has accused him of being involved in a bribery scheme, claiming that the South Group, with which Mahendru is associated, allegedly paid Rs 100 crore in bribes to the AAP.