The Supreme Court has issued notice regarding the bail application of Abhishek Boinpally, a Hyderabad-based businessman implicated in the Delhi excise policy scam. The controversial 2021-22 liquor policy, introduced by the Aam Aadmi Party-led government in Delhi, was revoked amid allegations of irregularities. Boinpally, in custody since October last year, faces money laundering charges related to the scam.

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti sought a response from the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) regarding Boinpally's bail plea. He is under scrutiny from both the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). While Boinpally obtained bail in the CBI case in November last year, he remains incarcerated due to the ED's case.

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Boinpally, argued that there's no concrete money trail and criticized the reliance on a co-accused's statement. The court banter included a playful exchange about Boinpally's relative's health.

The Enforcement Directorate requested three weeks to file a reply, which the bench granted. The case's background involves allegations that the excise policy was manipulated to favor private entities, leading to the arrest of prominent figures like Manish Sisodia, former deputy chief minister of Delhi.

Boinpally, a former director of Robin Distilleries LLP, was arrested by the CBI in October last year. Although he received bail in the CBI case, the Enforcement Directorate secured custody shortly after. The court dismissed Boinpally's bail plea earlier, citing credible allegations of generating and channeling illegal funds. Co-accused Benoy Babu's bail application was also denied.

The Supreme Court's notice sets the stage for further legal proceedings in this high-profile case.

Case Analysis:
Abhishek Boinpally v. Directorate of Enforcement - Special Leave Petition (Criminal) No. 9038 of 2023