Delhi High Court Grants Bail to Businessman Mahendru, AAP Volunteer in Excise Policy Case

The Delhi High Court has granted regular bail to liquor businessman Sameer Mahendru and AAP Volunteer Chanpreet Singh concerning the Delhi Excise Policy Case. Mahendru, owner of Indo Spirit, had been in custody since September 2022. The court cited the prolonged custody and minimal risk of flight or evidence tampering as reasons for the bail.

On Monday, the Delhi High Court granted regular bail to liquor businessman Sameer Mahendru and AAP Volunteer Chanpreet Singh in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy Case. Mahendru, the owner of Indo Spirit, has been in custody since September 2022.

Justice Neena Bansal Krishna, while granting bail, noted that Mahendru had been in judicial custody since September 28, 2022, amounting to almost two years, with little hope for a speedy trial. The court stated that depriving him of his liberty under Article 21 was unwarranted.

Justice Bansal Krishna further emphasized that Mahendru had no previous criminal background, was not a flight risk, and was unlikely to tamper with evidence or influence witnesses, as most of the evidence was documentary. Mahendru was admitted to bail on furnishing a Rs 10 lakh bond and two sureties of the same amount, with conditions including reporting to the Investigating Officer twice a week.

The Central Bureau of Intelligence (CBI) had initially registered an FIR on August 17, 2022, with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) subsequently arresting Mahendru on September 28, 2022, under sections of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act. Despite earlier bail rejections, the High Court found no delays attributable to Mahendru, pointing to the case's complexity and extensive documentation.

(With inputs from agencies.)