HYDERABAD: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids at five locations in Hyderabad in its probe into alleged political links and money laundering allegations involve the Delhi excise policy case filed by the CBI.ED searches were conducted in Eden gardens gated community in Koka pet, Nanakramguda, Secunderabed & other places.
ED searched the premises of one of the prime accused in the case, Arun Ramachandra Pillai, in Koka pet gated community, other directors of companies floated by him and former Delhi excise Commissioner Arava Gopi Krishna. ED took up the prevention of money Laundering Act investigation based on the CBI FIR against Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish, Pillai, and Krishna, a Delhi IAS officer and a native of Andhra Pradesh (AP).
The key allegation against the accused is that the decisions about excise policy for 2021-2022 was without approval of competent authority with an intension to extend undue favors to licenses post tender. Sources in ED said that they were looking into money routing by Pillai who allegedly collected bribes from another accused Sameer Mahendru and handed it over to others.
while then excise commissioner Krishna is said to have been instrumental in recommending and taking the decisions about Delhi excise policy for 2021-2022.
Pillai floated Robin distilleries private ltd and Robin distilleries LLP, incorporated in July with an address in Secunderabad. Gandra Prem Sagar is director of RDLP while Boinpally Abhishek is a director in Robin distilleries LLP. ED is probing if Arun, Abhishek and Prem Sagar have politic links.
Investigation so far revealed that the address of Robin distribution in Navketan complex on Sarojini Devi Road is the same as that of a well-known beauty salon.