'Can't keep in jail before trial for long': Supreme Court says in liquor policy case

The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to a senior executive of Pernod Ricard India, a subsidiary of one of the world's largest alcoholic beverages company, in connection with the Delhi liquor policy scam. In granting Benoy Babu, the Regional General Manager, bail, the court observed, "You can't keep people behind bars, before a trial, for long (periods of time). This is not proper..."

"... We still don't know how this will go. There seems to be contradiction between what the Central Bureau of Investigation is alleging and what the ED is alleging," Justice Sanjiv Khanna observed.

The bench, which also included Justice SVN Bhatt, directed bail for Mr Babu after noting he had already been in prison for 13 months and based on factual circumstances raised in his application.

Several people have been arrested in this case, which has triggered a massive political row between the ruling BJP and the opposition, particularly the Aam Aadmi Party that is in power in Delhi. Two senior AAP members, including ex-Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, were also arrested.

Mr Sisodia has been in jail since February and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh since October.

On October 30 the Supreme Court refused Manish Sisodia bail. It said the charges against him - of facilitating "windfall gains" of ₹ 338 crore to wholesale liquor dealers is "tentatively" backed by evidence. Mr Sisodia last week moved the court seeking a review of its order.

(With Agency Inputs)