New Delhi: In an unprecedented development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested businessman Dinesh Arora on late Thursday night in a money laundering case related to Delhi’s alleged liquor policy scam. Dinesh Arora is considered close aid to Manish Sisodia and Arora has been made approver in its case.
Sources reveal that after long hours of questioning, ED arrested Dinesh Arora under criminal sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). This has been the 13th arrest in the case by ED and five chargesheets have been filed till now. The agency believes that Arora has a crucial role in the scam ad is expected to produce them in court today.
Earlier in November last year, the CBI had moved a Delhi court to make Arora an approver in the case. “The investigation has revealed that Dinesh Arora and Amit Arora were involved in various illegal activities pertaining to the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 and its implementation in conspiracy with other players of the scam. Further, in the policy under investigation, Manish Sisodia has participated in conspiracies with other persons other than the South Group. Sisodia received kickbacks of Rs. 2.2 crores from Amit Arora through Dinesh Arora for doing favours in the excise policy 2021-22”, states ED charge sheet.
ED and CBI have alleged the Delhi government’s excise policy 2021-22 to grant licenses to liquor traders allowed cartelization and favored certain dealers. Following this, the excise policy was scrapped after Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena recommended a CBI probe.