SC grants bail to AAP's Vijay Nair in Delhi excise policy case

On Monday, the Supreme Court granted bail to Vijay Nair, the Aam Aadmi Party's communications-in-charge, who is accused in a money laundering case related to the Delhi excise policy scam [Vijay Nair vs Directorate of Enforcement]. Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti noted that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has not completed the trial on time despite assurances and that around 350 witnesses need to be examined. The Court highlighted that when Manish Sisodia's case was reviewed, the ED assured the trial would conclude in 6 to 8 months, but it has yet to start. The Court observed that Nair has been in custody for 23 months and emphasized that pre-trial detention should not serve as punishment. The Court ordered Nair's release on bail. Previously, the Delhi High Court denied Nair bail in July last year, prompting him to approach the Supreme Court through advocate Binisa Mohanty.

Nair is accused in a money laundering case investigated by the ED, stemming from the Delhi excise policy case also probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He was granted bail in the CBI case in November 2022. It is alleged that Delhi government officials conspired to grant liquor licenses to certain traders in exchange for bribes. The central agencies claim the excise policy was altered to benefit certain traders, who paid kickbacks. The ED and CBI registered cases following a recommendation by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena based on a report by the Delhi Chief Secretary. Nair is alleged to have received a ₹100 crore kickback from the 'South group' liquor lobby. Several AAP leaders, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, were arrested by the ED in connection with the case. Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader K Kavitha was also arrested. While Sisodia and Kavitha were granted bail by the Supreme Court, Kejriwal remains in prison, with his bail plea pending consideration by the top court.