Punjab-based Businessman Gautam Malhotra Arrested for Money Laundering in Liquor Scam Case

Punjab-based businessman Gautam Malhotra has been arrested in a money laundering investigation. Gautam is the son of former SAD MLA and liquor baron Deep Malhotra and his liquor business spans across Punjab, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh. He is among seven people who have been arrested till now in this investigation.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Gautam Malhotra, the promoter of the Oasis group of Punjab, who has been accused of money laundering. According to reports citing official sources, Malhotra was “evasive” and his contribution to the cartelization after the Delhi government implemented the new liquor policy. ED officials said, “He was arrested yesterday after questioning as he was not cooperating with the investigations.”

Malhotra has liquor manufacturing and distribution businesses across Punjab, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh, among other states. Several of these premises have been raided as part of the investigation into the liquor scam. He is the son of former SAD MLA and liquor baron Deep Malhotra.

A total of seven people, including Malhotra, have been arrested so far in this case. The CBI arrested a Hyderabad-based chartered accountant (CA), believed to be the auditor of BRS MLC K Kavitha. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and some excise officials have also been named as accused in the CBI and the ED complaints.

The ED has stated that a portion of the Rs 100 crore “kickbacks” from the scrapped Delhi excise policy was allegedly used in the Arvind Kejriwal-led party’s Goa assembly election campaign in 2022. “Investigation by ED found that acts of corruption and conspiracy in the formulation and implementation of Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 led to the loss of at least Rs 2,873 crore to the government exchequer. Proceeds of crime generated…to the tune of Rs 76.54 crore have been traced so far and have been attached,” the ED had stated.

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