Delhi liquor case: ED arrests Aurobindo director Sharath Reddy, Pernod Ricard GM Benoy Babu

The Enforcement Directorate has made two key arrests in reference to liquor commerce within the cash laundering investigation into the now-scrapped Delhi excise coverage case. The company has arrested Aurobindo Pharma wholetime director Sharath Reddy, and Pernod Ricard basic supervisor Benoy Babu below sections of the Prevention of Cash Laundering Act (PMLA). 

In accordance with sources, Sharath Reddy was arrested based mostly on the proof towards him. He has alleged shut connections with a couple of AAP politicians in Delhi. In accordance with the official web site of the agency, Reddy is a Enterprise Administration graduate and is a second-generation entrepreneur. Other than Aurobindo Pharma, Reddy is linked to over dozen corporations. 

Moreover, Benoy Babu was allegedly related to different accused within the Delhi excise coverage. He was allegedly not cooperating throughout the investigation, after which the officers positioned him below arrest. 

Each accused might be produced earlier than a court docket in Delhi for custody. 

The arrests have been made following a number of raids in reference to the case. In September, it arrested Sameer Mahandru, managing director of a liquor manufacturing firm, Indospirit. 

Pernod Ricard is a worldwide wine and spirits group with an in depth portfolio of alcohol manufacturers together with Royal Stag, 100 Pipers, Blenders Satisfaction, Imperial Blue, Jameson, Chivas, Royal Salute, The Glenlivet, Absolut, Beefeater and extra. 

In the meantime, the CBI arrested AAP communication in-charge Vijay Nair and Hyderabad based mostly businessman Abhishek Boinpally on this case.

The investigation comes after the ED named Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia as an accused within the FIR that led to the cash laundering case. It had additionally raided the premises of Sisodia together with another Delhi authorities bureaucrats. 

The company additionally raided the premises of a PA of Sisodia within the cash laundering case, and later questioned him in his workplace. 

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and different leaders of AAP have alleged that Manish Sisodia may also be arrested on this case by the company on the behest of BJP.

The excise scheme got here into the scanner after Delhi LG really useful a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities within the Excise Coverage 2021-22, and the suspension of 11 excise officers. 

(With PTI inputs)

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