Delhi LG VK Saxena Gives Nod to ED to Prosecute Arvind Kejriwal in Excise Policy Scam Ahead of Assembly Polls
On December 5, the Enforcement Directorate sought permission for sanction of prosecution against Arvind Kejriwal.
New Delhi, December 21: Ahead of the upcoming 2025 Delhi Assembly Polls, Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena has granted permission to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to prosecute AAP Chief and Former Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, in the excise policy case. On December 5, the Enforcement Directorate sought permission for sanction of prosecution against Arvind Kejriwal.
This move comes after months of investigations into the Delhi government's excise policy, which has been at the center of controversy and allegations of corruption. Excise Policy Case: Delhi High Court To Hear Arvind Kejriwal’s Plea Against ED’s Chargesheet Cognisance on January 30.
Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court on Friday granted the Enforcement Directorate (ED) additional time to file its reply to the petition filed by Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia. The petition challenges the trial court's decision to take cognizance of the chargesheets in the Delhi Excise Liquor Policy case.
The matter has been scheduled for hearing on February 5, by the bench of Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri. Recently Delhi High Court had issued a notice on Aam Aadmi Party' leader Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia plea challenging the trial court's decision to take cognizance of the Enforcement Directorate's chargesheet against them in the alleged excise policy scam. Arvind Kejriwal Bail Plea: Delhi HC Grants ED's Plea to Put AAP Leader's Bail on Hold in Money Laundering Case.
Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia are currently out on bail in both the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) cases related to the now-scrapped excise policy.
According to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Excise Policy was deliberately designed with loopholes to benefit AAP leaders and foster cartel formations. The ED accused AAP leaders of receiving kickbacks from liquor businesses in exchange for preferential treatment, including discounts, license fee waivers, and relief during the Covid-19 disruptions.
The ED further alleged that the "scam" involved awarding wholesale liquor distribution rights to private entities with a fixed 12% margin, in return for a 6% kickback. Additionally, AAP leaders were accused of influencing the outcome of elections in Punjab and Goa in early 2022.
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