The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday arrested Abhishek Boinpally in Delhi liquor excise policy case. Boinpally who was allegedly lobbying for certain liquor businessmen based in Southern India was called for questioning on Sunday, officials said.

The CBI found him to be evading certain key questions following which he was taken into custody late last night, officials said, adding that he was allegedly involved in the "cartelisation" for "Southern lobby." He will be produced in court today.

Boinpally is not named as an accused in the CBI FIR pertaining to the case but his close associate and partner Arun Ramchandra Pillai is. The two founded Robin Distribution LLP in July this year, according to the Registrar of Companies (RoC) database.

It is the second arrest in the excise scam case after businessman and Aam Aadmi Party leader Vijay Nair, they said. The case pertains to alleged corruption in granting liquor licenses in the National Capital.

On Friday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had raided at least 35 locations in Delhi, Punjab and Hyderabad in connection with the case. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia is accused in an FIR registered by the CBI in connection with alleged irregularities in formulating and implementing the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22.

The ED has conducted more than 103 raids in this case so far. The excise policy came under the scanner after Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena recommended a CBI probe.

With inputs from PTI

First Published:Oct 10, 2022 9:36 AM IST