ed-gets-nod-to-prosecute-kejriwal-and-sisodia-in-liquor-scam

The Union Home Ministry has granted permission to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to prosecute Arvind Kejriwal, leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and former minister Manish Sisodia in a money laundering case linked to the Delhi liquor policy scam.

 

This decision follows an approval from Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, who supported the prosecution of the former Delhi Chief Minister in the matter.

 

The controversy revolves around alleged irregularities in the formulation of the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy for 2021-22.

 

Kejriwal and other senior AAP leaders, including Sisodia, are accused of deliberately creating loopholes in the policy to enable kickbacks from liquor lobbyists.

 

The ED has described Kejriwal as the "kingpin and key conspirator" in the scam. Last November, the Supreme Court ruled that the ED must obtain prior sanction before prosecuting public servants.

 

A month later, the ED wrote to VK Saxena, seeking approval to proceed against Kejriwal under these guidelines.

 

Kejriwal contested the charges in the Delhi High Court, arguing that the ED's chargesheet against him and others was invalid because it lacked the required prior sanction from authorities.

 

The case has seen significant developments over the past year. Kejriwal was first arrested by the ED in March 2024 as part of its investigation into money laundering.

 

In June 2024, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) also detained him on corruption charges.

 

The Supreme Court granted bail to Kejriwal in September 2024, following months of legal battles. Shortly after securing his release, he resigned as Chief Minister of Delhi, clearing the way for senior AAP leader Atishi to take over the position.

 

Manish Sisodia, who had been in custody for 17 months, was released in August 2024. Both the ED and the CBI had arrested him as part of their investigations into the liquor policy case.

 

Despite these legal troubles, the AAP remains active in Delhi politics. The party has fielded Sisodia as its candidate for the Jangpura seat in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections scheduled for 5 February.