During the hearing today, the ED said that the changes to excise policy were made to benefit a group from South India.
“All the changes were made to enable the South Group. Please see the manner in which policy was formulated to ensure that certain private entities get huge benefits,” ED counsel Zoheb Hossain said.
Hossain also said that the argument by Sisodia that the changes to the policy were made in response to public feedback, was not true.
“There was no suggestion by public or stakeholders to fix the profit margin at 12%. This has been confirmed by Excise department,” it was submitted.
Hossain submitted how the definition of ‘term related entities’ was diluted
“There was dilution of term related entities. This sort of a diluted definition not only helped but even enabled cartelisation. The then secretary to Sisodia has disclosed that despite his suggestion, Sisodia got the diluted definition in GOM Report,” it was submitted.
It was further argued that the scam involved government functionaries and middlemen and others and AAP communications-in-charge Vijay Nair was the one who was coordinating the entire conspiracy.
“The conspiracy was orchestrated by Nair, Sisodia, K Kavitha and many others. The South Group paid a kickback of nearly Rs 100 crore to AAP leaders. One of the biggest cartel was made to operate 30% of liquor business in Delhi,” the ED contended.
Hossain also referred to Sisodia’s alleged role in ensuring L1 licence to a company named Indospirits.
“At jet speed, the application comes, it is approved and allocation granted in a few days. All these things check out. They are not random incidents. This was very important to get done. Because this was the vehicle that would get the kickback done,” it was stated.
Source: Barandbench
