The Delhi High Court on Friday refused to grant interim bail to businessman Amit Arora in a money laundering case related to the alleged excise policy scam. Arora, director of liquor company Buddy Retail Pvt Ltd, had sought interim bail on the grounds of his daughter’s ill health. In a separate order, the court also refused to extend the period of medical examination and treatment of businessman Amandeep Singh Dhall at the ‘Indian Spinal Injuries Centre’ here in matters related to excise policy. These cases are being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Justice Swarn Kanta Sharma said that the present medical condition of Dhal, director of Brindco Sales, is stable and he does not require further hospitalization. Last month, Dhal was directed to be hospitalized for three weeks. Hearing Arora’s plea, the judge said the court was not inclined to grant the relief sought by him and said he was allegedly involved in a serious crime and the investigation into the “whole conspiracy” in the case was yet to take place. Has not been completed till now. The court, however, allowed him to talk to his daughter through video-conference from jail as per rules.

The judge said, “This court is not inclined to grant interim bail to the accused. Therefore, the present interim bail plea is dismissed.” According to the CBI and ED, irregularities were committed while revising the Delhi Excise Policy for 2021-22 and undue benefits were extended to license holders. This policy has now been cancelled. The case of money laundering has come to light from the CBI FIR. The excise policy had come under question after the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi recommended a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in its implementation. Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who is currently in jail, is also an accused in this case.