Delhi Excise Policy : CBI arrests CA Buchibabu from Hyderabad

The case of alleged scam in the new excise policy of the Delhi government is not taking the name of stopping. Another arrest has been made in the latest case on Wednesday. CBI has arrested Chartered Accountant Buchibabu Gorantla from Hyderabad. CBI will present Buchibabu in court today and demand remand.

According to the CBI, in the Delhi Excise Policy case, the CBI has arrested Hyderabad-based Chartered Accountant Buchibabu Gorantla for his alleged role in formulation and implementation of liquor policy and for causing undue favor to Hyderabad-based wholesale and retail licensees and their beneficial owners. Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has been made an accused by the investigating agency in this case and he has also been questioned.

The current excise policy relating to retail liquor trade by Delhi government corporations is likely to be extended for some more time, as the new excise policy is still being formulated. The Delhi government has canceled the Excise Policy 2021-22 and has also withdrawn its order dated August 31, 2022, after Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena recommended a CBI probe on allegations of irregularities in its implementation. With the return to the old excise policy, the government allowed its four municipal corporations to open liquor shops under the Excise Policy 2021-22. A three-member committee has been formed to formulate a new policy, while the municipal corporations have been given the responsibility of opening and running liquor shops for six months from September 1 last year. However, the committee headed by the Principal Secretary (Finance) is yet to submit its report to the government even as the six-month period for which the old excise regime was allowed to operate expires on February 28.