Delhi HC grants bail to Arun Pillai

The Delhi High Court has granted bail to Arun Ramchandra Pillai, a businessman from Hyderabad, in connection with a money-laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy. 

Pillai was taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 6. Authorities, including the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation, have alleged irregularities during the modification of the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, which supposedly benefited certain licence holders. 

 According to the ED, Pillai had ties to K Kavitha, also implicated in the case, and was involved in meetings representing the so-called 'South Group' during discussions about the excise policy. 

This 'South Group' is alleged to be a network of liquor business figures and political leaders accused of providing Rs 100 crore in kickbacks to Delhi's ruling party in exchange for favours.