Delhi liquor scam: Centre nods for ED to prosecute Kejriwal, Sisodia
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New Delhi: The Centre has granted approval to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to prosecute Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, along with senior party leader and ex-Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, in a money laundering case linked to the 2021-22 Delhi liquor policy, sources revealed on Monday.
The Union Home Ministry sanctioned the ED’s request to prosecute Kejriwal under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), related to alleged irregularities in the excise policy implemented by the AAP-led Delhi government. The controversial policy, later scrapped, allegedly facilitated bribes benefiting certain liquor traders.
The development follows the Supreme Court’s November 2024 directive, which mandated prior sanction for prosecution in money laundering cases under Section 197(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code, now Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. In line with this, Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena approved the ED's prosecution request last month.
Kejriwal, already named in an ED charge sheet, is accused of enabling funds from bribes to support AAP’s Goa election campaign. The agency claims he was ultimately responsible for the financial dealings as the national convenor and a member of the party’s executive body. He was arrested earlier but is currently out on bail.
Sisodia, the Excise Minister when the policy was framed, was also arrested in the case. The ED alleges that both leaders received bribes from the "South Group," a liquor cartel that benefited from the excise policy, securing control over liquor distribution and sales in the national capital.
In a parallel investigation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) secured the necessary sanctions in August 2024 to prosecute Kejriwal under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Both agencies have submitted charge sheets against the AAP leaders, alleging corruption and money laundering.
Kejriwal and Sisodia have vehemently denied the allegations, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using central agencies to target political opponents. The leaders have maintained that the cases are politically motivated.
Kejriwal and Sisodia are currently focused on campaigning for the February 5 Delhi Assembly elections. Kejriwal has announced plans to file his nomination from the New Delhi constituency on Wednesday.
The controversy surrounding the liquor policy case has intensified as political tensions escalate in the lead-up to the elections.
With IANS inputs