Delhi excise 'scam': Abhishek Boinpally's role emerged during questioning of aide Arun Pillai

NEW DELHI/HYDERABAD: The CBI has arrested Abhishek Boinpally, another industrialist in Telangana, in connection with the investigation into the alleged irregularities in framing and implementation of the Delhi excise policy. Boinpally was summoned for questioning on Sunday and arrested late evening after he remained evasive regarding transactions of over Rs 3.5 crore that were routed through a couple of bank accounts. The CBI produced him in court and obtained three days of police remand for his custodial interrogation.

Sources said that Boinpally's name and role emerged during the questioning of his associate, Arun Pillai, who is named as accused number 14 in the CBI's FIR. Boinpally and Pillai are alleged to be directors in Robin Distilleries LLP and represented the “southern lobby” in the liquor business in Delhi.

“Being co-director of Robin Distribution LLP, the illegal gratification or commission was stashed here before being routed onwards. Wholesalers who benefited from tweaked Delhi excise policy parked their comission at Robin Distribution LLP,” a source said.

"Basically, the liquor licence holders allegedly issued bills to retail vendors to divert funds to public servants involved in irregularities. This is where some of these companies aided in illegal transactions,” the source added.

As per the CBI's FIR, Pillai collected money from Sameer Mahendru, MD of Indospirit group, for “onward transmission” to public servants through Vijay Nair, communication in-charge of AAP.

Nair and Mahendru have been arrested in the case. On September 27, the agency had arrested Vijay Nair, AAP's communication in-charge and former CEO of Mumbai-based event management firm ‘Only Much Louder’. A day later, the enforcement directorate had arrested another accused Sameer Mahendru, managing director of Delhi-based lndospirit group.

Premises of Robin Distribution LLP, incorporated at Hyderabad Registrar of Companies (ROC) on 12th July, 2022, were earlier searched by the Enforcement Directorate for its alleged links with beneficiaries of Delhi excise policy. Agencies claim it was a shell firm.

“When the CBI and the ED had searched the location, it didn't find any office of Robin Distribution LLP at the given address of Navketan Complex, Sarojini Devi Road, Secunderabad... Instead, a salon operated from there. The company was interestingly incorporated few days before the Delhi LG recommended a CBI probe in the excise policy scam,” a source said.

Boinpally is also a director in Zeus Networking along with one Gautam Mootha, a director at India Ahead news channel. The agency has found his named linked with other firms viz Anoos Electrolysis & Obesity, Anoos Health & Wellness, Agasti Ventures, SS Mines & Minerals, Master Sand LLP, Neoverse Realty and Valuecare Esthetics. ED and CBI are probing if these were money launde fronts. In the coming days, the agencies are likely to question around six businessmen and politicians from Telangana. Meanwhile, Mahedru was sent to judicial custody till October 20 in a related money laundering case.