Delhi Excise Policy Scam: Accused Sarath Reddy Turns Approver, Adds to Sisodia’s Woes

New Delhi: The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi has granted a pardon to Sarath Reddy, a businessman, allowing him to become an approver in the ongoing investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into an alleged excise policy scam.

This decision poses further complications for the main accused in the case, namely Manish Sisodia and K Kavitha, as the ED had previously indicated that Reddy possesses crucial information regarding their alleged involvement in the scam.

Reddy has expressed concerns about his personal safety, leading to his statement being kept confidential in a sealed cover.

The ED had apprehended Sarath Reddy, who serves as the managing director of Aurobindo Pharma and is based in Hyderabad, on November 10 last year. According to the ED, the scam primarily involved Vijay Nair, a representative of Manish Sisodia and other Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, along with a group called the South Group, consisting of Sarath Reddy, M Srinivasulu Reddy, Raghav Magunta, and K Kavitha.

The ED further alleged that the South cartel had offered a bribe of Rs 100 crore to Vijay Nair in exchange for a favourable policy outcome.

The charges against Reddy, which led to his implication in a money laundering case, originated from a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Among the accused named in the FIR was Manish Sisodia, a prominent AAP leader.

The excise policy in question came under scrutiny after Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena recommended a CBI investigation into the alleged irregularities in the implementation of Delhi’s Excise Policy 2021-22. As a result, 11 excise officials were suspended by the Lieutenant Governor.