In a significant turn in two sensitive financial crime investigations, a Special Court on Tuesday granted the State Economic Offences Investigation and Anti-Corruption Bureau (SEOIACB) three more days of custodial remand for liquor trader Vijay Bhatia – another key accused in the alleged Rs 2,200 crore liquor scam, while also rejecting the interim bail plea of Maya Warrier, who is under arrest in the Rs 75.1 crore District Mineral Foundation (DMF) fund embezzlement case. This marks the third remand granted for Bhatia, who was produced before the special judge earlier in the day. Investigators from SEOIACB told the court that crucial leads had emerged from the scrutiny of documents recovered during previous raids, and further custodial interrogation was essential to trace financial conduits and verify links between shell entities and illicit transactions.

 

After considering arguments from both sides, the court extended Bhatia’s remand till June 12. Separately, the court dismissed the interim bail application filed by Maya Warrier, currently lodged in judicial custody for her alleged role in Rs 75.1 crore DMF scam. SEOIACB investigators strongly objected, stating that Warrier’s role was distinct and that her release at this stage could compromise ongoing enquiries. Weighing both positions, the court rejected her bail plea.