Delhi Excise Policy: HC Issues Notice to ED on Arun Pillai’s Bail Plea

The Delhi High Court issued a notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday regarding a plea filed by Hyderabad-based businessman Arun Ramchandra Pillai seeking interim bail on medical grounds. Presently in judicial custody, Pillai was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in the Delhi Excise Policy case.

Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma sought a response from the ED and scheduled the matter for June 10, 2024. Pillai was represented by Advocate Nitesh Rana and Advocate Deepak Nagar.

According to the application, Pillai has a history of lower back aches radiating up to his limbs for the past eight years. He also suffered two episodes of falls causing back damage, one thirteen years ago and the second around four years ago. Additionally, he has a history of Tuberculosis (Lymph node) and underwent treatment in 2011.

Pillai has filed a fresh application seeking interim bail on medical grounds for eight weeks.

Recently, the Delhi High Court reserved its order on Pillai’s plea challenging the trial court’s decision allowing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to resume arguments on charges in the Delhi Excise Policy case. CBI’s advocate DP Singh informed the court that they are set to file a charge sheet in the case in the first week of June.

Concerns Over Prolonged Investigation

Pillai argued in his plea that despite more than 15 months passing, the investigation is still ongoing. He expressed concern that the prosecution’s pursuit of an “expeditious trial” might prejudice his case. The plea also mentioned the arrest of BRS Leader K Kavitha by the CBI, whose charge sheet is yet to be filed.

Advocates Nitesh Rana and Deepak Nagar, representing Pillai, stated that arguments on charges have already commenced before the trial court. They highlighted ongoing investigations, suggesting the possibility of additional accused being added.

Allegations by ED

Pillai was arrested by the ED on March 6, 2023, in connection with the Delhi Excise policy scam. The ED has filed a supplementary complaint in the case, alleging that Pillai gave false statements during the investigation and engaged in evidence destruction.

The ED accused Pillai of actively participating in evidence destruction, including changing/using/destroying five mobile phones in two years. It claimed that chats found on other persons’ phones linked to Pillai were missing from his seized phones.

Pillai allegedly attempted to retract all his statements made during the investigation, which the agency deemed as a tactic to obstruct the investigation.

Arrest of Amandeep Singh Dhall

In the ED case, businessman Amandeep Singh Dhall was arrested on March 1, and Hyderabad-based businessman Arun Ramchandra Pillai was arrested on March 6, 2023.

Both the ED and the CBI allege irregularities in modifying the Excise Policy, extending undue favors to license holders, waiving or reducing license fees, and extending licenses without proper approval. These actions allegedly caused a loss of Rs 144.36 crore to the exchequer.

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