Delhi High Court Seeks ED’s Response on Hyderabad Businessman’s Plea in Delhi Excise Policy Scam Case

Delhi High Court Seeks ED's Response on Hyderabad Businessman's Plea in Delhi Excise Policy Scam Case

VoM News Desk | October 21, 2023 | 03:52 PM IST | Breaking News, Courts & Law | Follow on Google News

Delhi High Court Seeks ED’s Response on Hyderabad Businessman’s Plea in Delhi Excise Policy Scam Case

Delhi High Court Seeks ED’s Response on Hyderabad Businessman’s Plea in Delhi Excise Policy Scam Case

The Delhi High Court has requested the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to respond to Hyderabad businessman Arun Ramchandra Pillai’s petition challenging his arrest and remand in a money laundering case related to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam. Pillai claims that “third-degree” methods were used to obtain information from him, and he challenges the legality of his arrest and remand.

Maintainability of the Plea

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma has asked the ED to provide a response regarding the maintainability of the petition. Pillai’s lawyer, Advocate Nitesh Rana, argues that the arrest and remand orders violated provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as no grounds for arrest were provided to Pillai, and the remand orders did not record the ED’s “reasons to believe” that he was guilty of a PMLA offense.

Allegations of Coercive Tactics

Pillai’s plea contends that the ED used coercive tactics, including “third-degree measures,” as a “witch-hunting exercise” to obtain information. It alleges that the ED acted illegally, enabled by the arrest and remand orders.

Maintainability of the Petition

The ED argues that the petition is not maintainable.

The court has scheduled the matter for further hearing on November 3, coinciding with the consideration of Pillai’s bail plea.

Background of the Case

The case is related to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam where irregularities were committed while modifying the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, leading to undue favors to license holders. Pillai’s money laundering case originates from a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) FIR. The Delhi government had scrapped the excise policy amid allegations of corruption.

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