The Enforcement Directorate has named the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as an accused in the liquor policy case, the Supreme Court was informed on Friday.
Earlier, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju announced to the court that a prosecution complaint was being filed, implicating AAP in the case. This statement was made during a hearing on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s petition challenging his arrest.
The liquor policy case involves allegations of corruption and money laundering linked to the Delhi government’s excise policy for 2021-22, which was later withdrawn. The CBI and Enforcement Directorate, investigating the matter, claim that the policy was altered improperly and unfair advantages were given to license holders.
ED Names Arvind Kejriwal and AAP in Delhi Liquor Policy Case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has included Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as an accused for the first time in a supplementary chargesheet related to the Delhi liquor excise policy for 2021-22, which has since been scrapped. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has also been named as an accused in the case.
The ED informed the Supreme Court that it found chats between Kejriwal and hawala operators concerning alleged money laundering activities linked to the excise policy. These chats were retrieved from the devices of the hawala operators after Kejriwal declined to provide the passwords to his own devices.
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ED Names Kejriwal as Mastermind in Delhi Excise Scam
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has labeled Arvind Kejriwal as the “kingpin and key conspirator” in the Delhi excise “scam,” allegedly coordinated with Delhi government ministers, AAP leaders, and other individuals. The agency claims that out of a Rs 100 crore bribe from the ‘South Group,’ Rs 45 crore was funneled into AAP’s 2022 Goa assembly election campaign.
This update follows the ED’s announcement to the Supreme Court that they will soon file charges. On May 16, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing the ED, informed Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta that a prosecution complaint (charge sheet) against Kejriwal and AAP is imminent.
The ED’s statement came during a hearing on Kejriwal’s challenge to his arrest in the money laundering case. “We will do it shortly. It is in the pipeline,” the ED assured the court.
SV Raju asserted that there is sufficient evidence indicating Kejriwal demanded a Rs 100 crore bribe, which was used for AAP’s Goa election campaign. Despite being the Chief Minister, Kejriwal holds no portfolio. As AAP’s national convenor, the ED argues he is indirectly responsible for the scam. Raju also claimed that Kejriwal stayed in a seven-star hotel, with some expenses covered by an accused in the case.
Delhi Excise Policy Case
In the Delhi Excise policy case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) claims that the 2021-22 policy for granting liquor licenses led to cartel formation and favored certain dealers who allegedly paid bribes. Despite the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) denying these accusations, the ED remains confident about the irregularities.
The policy was later withdrawn, and Delhi’s Lt Governor VK Saxena called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe. Following this, the ED filed a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
FAQs
Q.1. What is the Delhi Excise Policy case?
Ans. The case involves allegations of corruption and money laundering related to Delhi’s excise policy for 2021-22.
Q.2. Who is implicated in the case?
Ans. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi’s Chief Minister, are named as accused.
Q.3. What did the Enforcement Directorate (ED) discover?
Ans. The ED found chats linking Kejriwal to hawala operators, discussing alleged money laundering tied to the excise policy.
Q.4. What actions has the ED taken?
Ans. The ED filed a supplementary chargesheet naming Kejriwal and AAP as accused and asserted Kejriwal’s involvement as a key conspirator.
Q.5. What is the status of the case?
Ans. The ED has indicated filing charges soon, following investigations into bribery allegations and AAP’s Goa election campaign funding.
