In relation to the Enforcement Directorate’s case regarding the Delhi liquor policy scam, the Supreme Court has granted bail to a senior executive of Pernod Ricard India, a subsidiary of one of the largest alcoholic beverage companies in the world.
“You can’t keep people behind bars, before a trial, for long (periods of time),” the top court remarked sharply in granting bail to Benoy Babu, the Regional General Manager. This is inappropriate.
“We’re still not sure how this will turn out. Judge Sanjiv Khanna noted that there appeared to be a discrepancy between the allegations made by the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation.
The bench, which also included Justice SVN Bhatt, granted Mr. Babu bail based on the factual circumstances presented in his application and the fact that he had already served 13 months in jail.
A major political dispute has broken out between the opposition, mainly the Aam Aadmi Party, which rules Delhi, and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party due to the numerous arrests made in relation to this case. In relation to this case, two senior AAP members—former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh—have been taken into custody.
Sisodia and Singh have both been incarcerated since February and October, respectively.
