The Supreme Court of India has granted bail to Benoy Babu, a senior executive of Pernod Ricard India, in connection with the Delhi liquor policy scam. Pernod Ricard India is a subsidiary of one of the world’s largest alcoholic beverages company. The court stated that keeping individuals behind bars for long periods of time before a trial is not proper. Justice Sanjiv Khanna noted that there seems to be a contradiction between the allegations made by the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate.
The bench, which included Justice SVN Bhatt, granted bail to Mr. Babu after considering the fact that he has already spent 13 months in prison and based on the factual circumstances raised in his application. The Delhi liquor policy scam has sparked a political controversy between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition, particularly the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) that is in power in Delhi. Several arrests have been made in this case, including two senior AAP members, former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh.
Manish Sisodia, who has been in jail since February, was refused bail by the Supreme Court on October 30. The court stated that the charges against him, which include facilitating “windfall gains” of Rs 338 crore to wholesale liquor dealers, are tentatively supported by evidence. Mr. Sisodia has recently filed a review petition seeking a reconsideration of the court’s decision.
The Delhi government and Manish Sisodia have denied any wrongdoing and have argued that the new liquor policy would have increased revenue. However, allegations have been made that the new policy led to cartelization and favored those ineligible for liquor licenses for monetary benefits.
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