Delhi Excise Policy Case Day After CBI, ED Files First Chargesheet Against Sameer Mahendru

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday filed its first prosecution complaint (chargesheet) in a money laundering case revolving around the Delhi excise policy case. It has been filed against businessman Sameer Mahendru as the necessary 60-day time expired today, news agency ANI reported. 

The law enforcement agency also informed the court that the chargesheet is around 3,000 pages long.

ED files its first prosecution complaint (Chargesheet) in a money laundering case revolving around Delhi excise policy case. ED informs court that it contains approx 3,000 pages. It’s been filed against businessman Sameer Mahendru as 60-day mandatory period was getting over today pic.twitter.com/cE6kNs3wwO

— ANI (@ANI) November 26, 2022

On September 7, the ED arrested businessman Sameer Mahendru for the first time in this case. The ED also informed the court that it will shortly file a supplementary charge sheet against the additional arrested accused.

A total of five people have been arrested by the ED as of now.

The prosecution complaint, which includes testimony from the accused and annexures, also names two other people in addition to Indospirits promoter Mahandru, news agency PTI reported citing officials. 

As per the officials, sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) were pressed in the chargesheet.

The agency stated that it has conducted 169 searches in this matter since taking cognizance of a CBI FIR that was launched on the recommendation of the Delhi lieutenant governor, PTI reported. 

It is alleged the Delhi government’s policy to grant licenses to liquor traders was influenced in favour of certain dealers who had allegedly paid bribes for it, a charge strongly refuted by Delhi’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed its first chargesheet in the Delhi excise policy scam case on Friday against arrested businessmen Vijay Nair and Abhishek Boinpally, as well as five other suspects, keeping the investigation into the alleged role of others named in the first information report (FIR), including Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, open.

(With Inputs From Agencies)