Supreme Court Extends Bail for Businessman in Delhi Excise Policy Scam

The Supreme Court extended the interim bail of businessman Abhishek Boinpally, involved in a money laundering case related to the Delhi excise policy scam. The case is postponed to October 14 due to the absence of Additional Solicitor General S V Raju. Boinpally's bail extension follows multiple previous extensions since March 2023.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday extended the interim bail for Hyderabad-based businessman Abhishek Boinpally in a money laundering case associated with the alleged Delhi excise policy scam.

A bench comprising justices M M Sundresh and Aravind Kumar deferred the hearing to October 14, citing the unavailability of Additional Solicitor General S V Raju.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Boinpally, highlighted the arrest in October 2022 and referenced AAP leader Manish Sisodia's case while seeking bail.

Advocate Zoheb Hossain, representing the Enforcement Directorate (ED), informed the court that Boinpally has been on interim bail since March 6 due to his wife’s health issues and requested the matter be heard in the ASG's presence.

The apex court adjourned the matter and extended the interim relief in the ASG's absence.

On March 20, the court noted Boinpally's 18-month custody and granted five weeks of interim bail, extended multiple times since then. Conditions included surrendering his passport and restricting travel outside the NCR, except to Hyderabad.

Boinpally contested the legality of his arrest under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), which outlines arrest procedures, citing non-compliance.

The Delhi excise policy for 2021-22, implemented on November 17, 2021, was scrapped in September 2022 amidst corruption allegations.

The CBI and ED allege irregularities in the policy’s modification, undue favours to licensees, and Boinpally's involvement in the money laundering conspiracy with another accused, businessman Sameer Mahendru.