In connection with the Delhi Excise Policy 2021–22 investigation, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) searched nearly thirty locations in Delhi and Punjab on Friday. Four raids in Punjab were confirmed by ED officials, including one at the Faridkot premises of former Shiromani Akali Dal MLA and liquor tycoon Deep Malhotra.
The raids are being carried out days after Sameer Mahendru, the managing director of Delhi's Indospirit Group, a distributor of alcoholic beverages, was detained by the central agency.
The ED team reached the residence of former Punjab Akali MLA and liquor businessman Deep Malhotra in Faridkot this morning to raid. Around 8 am, the members of the ED team arrived at Deep's residence in two vehicles and immediately began the search by shutting the door from the inside. Records and papers about property and business are being examined.
Deep Malhotra has 3 groups of retail marketing with a total business of approximately 700 crores in Delhi. Deep Malhotra has its business expanded in Moga, Faridkot, Bathinda, Ferozpur, Muktsar and Ludhiana districts. In Ludhiana, they have an L1 license and in other districts, Deep Malhotra has its wholesale business.
ED also raided liquor firm Brindco in Ludhiana and Mansa in this case. Brindco also has its business expanded in many states. This business is run by a family from Delhi. Their actual name is Barinder Pal Singh. The company has a turnover of more than Rs 1000 crore.
The ED and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had made allegations that there had been irregularities when changing the excise policy, that license holders had received improper favors, that the license fee had been waived or decreased, and that the L-1 license had been prolonged without the consent of the appropriate authority. To avoid detection, the recipients produced false entries in their books of accounts and channeled "illegal" gains to the charged authorities. The ED has not far given any information regarding what comes from the raids.