ED granted approval to prosecute Kejriwal, Sisodia in liquor policy case

Photo: PTI

The Union Home Ministry has approved the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to prosecute Arvind Kejriwal, the chief of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and former Delhi minister Manish Sisodia. This prosecution is linked to a money laundering case involving the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam.

This decision by the Ministry follows a recommendation from Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor, VK Saxena, who had earlier given his consent to prosecute Kejriwal. The case focuses on allegations of irregularities in the formulation and implementation of the now-defunct Delhi excise policy for 2021-22. It is claimed that Kejriwal, Sisodia, and other AAP leaders designed the policy to include loopholes, enabling them to receive kickbacks from liquor lobbyists.

The Supreme Court, in a November 2023 order, stated that the ED must seek prior approval before prosecuting public officials. Following this ruling, the ED wrote to VK Saxena, emphasizing that permission should be granted because Kejriwal was allegedly the "kingpin and key conspirator" behind the scam.

On his part, Kejriwal approached the Delhi High Court, arguing that the ED’s chargesheet was invalid as it lacked the mandatory prior approval. He maintained that the prosecution complaint filed against him and others was legally flawed.

Kejriwal’s legal troubles began in March 2024 when the ED first arrested him in connection with the money laundering allegations. Later, in June 2024, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) also arrested him, this time in a related corruption case. However, in September 2024, the Supreme Court granted him bail. Just days after securing bail, Kejriwal stepped down as Delhi’s Chief Minister, and senior AAP leader Atishi took over the position.

Manish Sisodia also faced arrest by the ED and the CBI. He spent 17 months in jail before being released in August 2024. Following his release, the AAP nominated him as their candidate from the Jangpura constituency for the Delhi Assembly elections scheduled for February 5, 2025.

This case has drawn significant attention as it involves allegations of high-level corruption, raising questions about transparency and accountability in governance. Despite the legal challenges, the AAP continues to defend its leaders and insists that the allegations are politically motivated.

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