Delhi Excise Policy: Rouse Avenue Court Extends Custody Parole of Arun Pillai

Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court has granted a three-day extension to the custody parole of businessman Arun Pillai in a money laundering case related to the excise policy. This extension is specifically for him to care for his ailing wife in Hyderabad.

Through his advocate Nitesh Rana, Arun Pillai submitted an application, explaining that his wife’s tests are currently underway.

It has been advised that she undergo surgery and be admitted to the hospital on December 14, 2023, with the tentative surgery date set for December 15, 2023.

Special Judge MK Nagpal declared that the custody parole for Arun Pillai is extended until December 16, 2023, with the same terms and conditions as outlined in the previous order dated December 7, 2023.

In a previous ruling, the court had directed that Arun Pillai be taken to his hometown in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, under adequate security arrangements, either by air or train.

During this time, he would be allowed to stay at his house or in a hospital for 5 days, excluding travel time between Delhi and Hyderabad.

Arun Pillai was also permitted to accompany his wife for medical tests and procedures at the concerned hospital within the specified timeframe.

However, the court imposed conditions, including not tampering with evidence or attempting to influence witnesses, refraining from interactions with the media, meeting only family members, and having no access to phone or internet during the visit.

Arun Pillai, through advocates Deepak Nagar and Prakhar Shukla, recently sought eight weeks’ bail on medical grounds for his wife.

Advocate Nitesh Rana, representing Arun Pillai, requested custody parole for the accused to provide moral support to his wife during her medical treatment.

Arun Pillai was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in March 2023 in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy scam. He was accused of collecting bribes from Sameer Mahendru, Managing Director of Indospirit, and passing them on to another accused.

The ED filed a supplementary complaint in the liquor scam case against Arun Pillai and Delhi-based businessman Amandeep Dhall, accusing Arun Pillai of providing false statements during the investigation.

According to the charge sheet, Arun Pillai actively participated in evidence destruction, changing/using/destroying five mobile phones in two years. The phones used during the scam period were not produced during the investigation.

Additionally, chats found on others’ phones were not found on Arun Pillai’s seized phones, indicating evidence destruction.

Arun Pillai allegedly filed a retraction of all his statements under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to create a legal facade and derail the investigation, as per the ED.

In the broader case, businessman Amandeep Singh Dhall and Arun Ramchandra Pillai were arrested in March 2023.

Both the ED and the CBI alleged irregularities in modifying the excise policy, granting undue favors to license holders, waiving or reducing license fees, and extending the L-1 license without proper approval.

The alleged diversion of “illegal” gains to accused officials and false entries in books of account were part of the scheme.

The Excise Department’s decision to refund the Earnest Money Deposit and the waiver of tendered license fees were cited as causes for a loss of Rs 144.36 crore to the exchequer, prompting an investigation instituted on the recommendation of Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena following a reference from the Union Home Ministry.