In a significant development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken the bold step of filing an FIR against an official from another major investigative body, the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The charges? Alleged involvement in a sweeping corruption scandal linked to Delhi's excise policy for 2021-22.

The core of the case pivots around a whopping ₹5 crore bribe. This astronomical amount was allegedly handed over to Pawan Khatri, an assistant director with the ED, by a prominent liquor magnate, Aman Dhall. The underlying reason for this clandestine transaction? Dhall's ambitious aspirations connected to the Delhi excise policy.

For those unfamiliar with Aman Dhall, he stands tall in the business realm as the director of Brindco Sales Pvt Ltd. However, this isn't a one-man show. Alongside Dhall in this controversial narrative is his father, Birender Pal Singh. Both father and son aren't the only high-profile names on the CBI's list.

CBI's dossier on this case reveals more stakeholders in this convoluted saga of alleged corruption. Vikramaditya, who helms the luxury Claridges Hotels as its CEO, finds his name inked alongside the accused. The list grows more eclectic, roping in Nitesh Kohar, an upper division clerk from ED, Deepak Sangwan of Air India fame, and Praveen Kumar Vats, a chartered accountant known in his professional circles. According to the CBI, these individuals didn't just stand by idly. Instead, they played a key role as 'facilitators' in this expansive corrupt nexus.

Backtracking a bit, the ED had previously sprung into action in July, raiding the premises of Khatri and his cohorts. Their efforts weren't in vain. They managed to seize a bribe amount that exceeded ₹2 crore, shedding light on the intricate layers of this ongoing investigation.

While the dust is far from settled, this recent turn of events brings to the forefront the persisting challenges in maintaining transparency and integrity even within the most elite corridors of power and bureaucracy. The unfolding of this case will surely keep the nation glued to further developments.

While the recent FIR filed by CBI has thrust several elite names into the limelight, an interesting nuance emerges. Despite the massive shadow of suspicion cast on Pawan Khatri, officers maintain that Khatri was never an integral part of the ED's investigation team delving into the alleged misdeeds surrounding the excise policy. This raises crucial questions: Why then was Khatri's name so prominently associated with this scandal?

Hindustan Times has managed to lay hands on a crucial piece of evidence — a copy of the CBI's First Information Report (FIR). The FIR chronicles a series of events that culminate in a gripping narrative of power, money, and deceit.

Let's travel back in time to July when ED officers took the bold step of raiding Khatri and the other implicated parties. Their efforts unearthed an illicit treasure trove — bribes amounting to over ₹2 crore. Following an in-depth investigation into the matter, ED promptly passed the baton to the CBI, urging them to probe deeper into this mire of corruption. And so, on August 25, CBI officially registered a case of corruption against the accused.

It's worth noting that earlier this year, on March 1, ED had put Aman Dhall in shackles, citing his alleged involvement in the excise policy irregularities. However, the CBI's FIR unfurls an even more fascinating tapestry.

Dive into the pages of the FIR, and you encounter the name Sangwan. According to the CBI, Sangwan acted as a sort of 'broker', reassuring Vats that he held enough sway to shield Dhall from the ED's clutches in the looming liquor scam case. But such protection wouldn't come free. Sangwan allegedly orchestrated a meeting between Vats and Khatri in December 2022. The deal? Sangwan would shield Dhall, and in return, Vats would ensure a hefty payoff to the tune of ₹3 crore. This sum was systematically funneled in six batches, each carrying ₹50 lakh. The period? December 2022 to January 2023. But the money trail didn't end there. Another ₹2 crore was allegedly handed over in four separate transactions.

The case remains alive with a flurry of questions, backdoor deals, and a web of high-profile names, each playing a part in this thrilling narrative of alleged corruption.

Delving further into the engrossing corruption saga surrounding the Delhi excise policy, recent developments have thrown fresh light on a series of clandestine meetings and intricate connections between those implicated.

Recall Aman Dhall’s unexpected arrest by ED? Only two days post this, in the bustling heart of Delhi's Priya Complex, Vats and Sangwan rendezvoused. The discussion that ensued was nothing short of revealing. The FIR details Sangwan’s rather frank admission: he confessed that the decision to arrest Dhall originated from the higher echelons of power, a sphere where Sangwan's influence was rendered moot.

The succeeding months were rife with hushed conversations and deliberations. By June, talks had shifted to a pressing concern: the potential return of the bribe money. Khatri and Kohar, both pivotal figures in this saga, were privy to these discussions. Perhaps the most compelling revelation from this phase was the return of a staggering ₹1 crore to Dhall's father on June 29. Why the change of heart?

The narrative takes another twist when delving into Vikramaditya's involvement. The complaint by ED suggests that Dhall, in his desperation, sought out Vikramaditya, who in turn nudged Vats to offer assistance.

But it's not just whispers and money exchanges that build this story. Tangible evidence has come to the fore. ED officers diligently secured CCTV footage, capturing multiple meetings between the accused. And the fruits of their raid bore even more: a cash hoard of ₹2.19 crore, suspected to be part of the bribe money, was discovered at Vats’ residence. Adding to this, Sangwan’s premises yielded documents intricately linked to the excise policy probe.

It’s essential to understand the gravitas of the Delhi 2021-22 excise policy in this entire puzzle. This ambitious policy initiative was groundbreaking for Delhi. Its goal was a paradigm shift from the sales-volume driven regime, pivoting instead to a licensing fee structure for traders. Additionally, it marked an unprecedented move for Delhi, with the introduction of discounts and tantalizing offers on liquor purchases.

In the grand tapestry of this alleged corruption, these seemingly disparate threads weave together a tale of intrigue, power, and deceit. The question remains: as further chapters of this saga unfold, what more will come to light?