New Delhi, 10 January (H.S.): Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi granted permission on Saturday to Binay Babu, an accused in the Delhi Excise Scam case, to travel abroad, allowing him a visit to New Zealand from March 14 to 23.

Special Judge Jitendra Singh directed Babu to deposit a fixed deposit of Rs 25 lakh as bond for bail. The court mandated submission of complete travel itinerary and accommodation details. Babu, a Gurugram resident and permanent employee of M/s Pernod Ricard India Pvt Ltd serving as General Manager, sought approval for business purposes.

During the hearing, the Enforcement Directorate's counsel opposed the plea, arguing Babu faces charges of concealing actual transactions while claiming innocence and involvement in the conspiracy, potentially impacting the trial. The court noted Babu received bail from the Supreme Court in 2023 without conditions.

Earlier on January 5, the court permitted co-accused Gautam Malhotra to travel to Dubai. Accused Sharad Chandra Reddy and Raghav Magunta have already turned approvers for the prosecution.

The ED filed its seventh supplementary chargesheet on May 17, 2024, naming Aam Aadmi Party and Arvind Kejriwal as accused. Kejriwal was arrested by ED on March 21, 2024, post-interrogation; granted interim bail by Supreme Court until June 1, 2024; surrendered on June 2; rearrested by CBI on June 26, 2024; received interim bail in ED case on July 12, 2024, and regular bail in CBI case on September 13, 2024. All 40 accused in the case have secured bail.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar