The Enforcement Directorate has made two key arrests in connection with liquor trade in the money laundering investigation into the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy case. The agency has arrested Aurobindo Pharma director Sharath Reddy, and Pernod Ricard general manager Benoy Babu under sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The arrests were made following multiple raids in connection with the case. In September, it arrested Sameer Mahandru, managing director of a liquor manufacturing company, Indospirit.
Pernod Ricard is a global wine and spirits group with an extensive portfolio of alcohol brands including Royal Stag, 100 Pipers, Blenders Pride, Imperial Blue, Jameson, Chivas, Royal Salute, The Glenlivet, Absolut, Beefeater and more.
The investigation comes after the ED named Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia as an accused in the FIR that led to the money laundering case. It had also raided the premises of Sisodia along with some other Delhi government bureaucrats.
The agency also raided the premises of a PA of Sisodia in the money laundering case, and later questioned him in his office.
The excise scheme came into the scanner after Delhi LG recommended a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities in the Excise Policy 2021-22, and the suspension of 11 excise officials.
(With PTI inputs)
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