1. Delhi excise policy case involves corruption and money laundering allegations in the government’s policy.
2. Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi’s Chief Minister, was arrested by the ED on March 21.
3. The arrest is linked to a money laundering probe concerning irregularities in the excise policy.
New Delhi, April 15: The Delhi excise policy case revolves around allegations of corruption and money laundering concerning the formulation and implementation of the Delhi government’s excise policy for 2021-22.
Arvind Kejriwal’s Arrest
Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 in connection with the money laundering probe related to the alleged irregularities in the excise policy.
He was subsequently remanded to judicial custody until April 15. Kejriwal’s arrest marks the first instance of a sitting Chief Minister being apprehended in such a case.
Legal Proceedings
The Delhi High Court upheld the validity of Kejriwal’s arrest, stating that the ED had sufficient evidence to justify it.
The court emphasized that the arrest was a consequence of Kejriwal’s non-cooperation with the investigation, noting that he had failed to appear before the agency despite nine summonses.
Current Status
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear Kejriwal’s plea challenging his arrest and subsequent detention by the ED. The bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta will preside over the proceedings.
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Other Figures Involved
Alongside Kejriwal, other prominent members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have also been implicated in the excise policy case.
Manish Sisodia, another AAP leader, has been in custody since February last year. Sanjay Singh, who was also arrested in connection with the case, was recently granted bail.
Details of the Excise Policy
The excise policy in question aimed to rejuvenate Delhi’s liquor industry by replacing the sales-volume-based system with a license fee for traders.
It promised improved liquor stores, free from the traditional metal grilles, to enhance the shopping experience for consumers. However, the policy was revoked shortly after Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena requested a CBI investigation into alleged irregularities.
Allegations Against AAP Leaders
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the ED alleged that AAP leaders received kickbacks totaling ₹100 crores from politicians and liquor businessmen to grant licenses under the excise policy.
They also claimed the involvement of a group known as the ‘South Group’ in the purported irregularities.
Kejriwal’s name was mentioned in the chargesheet, alleging that he was in communication with the accused individuals to formulate the excise policy, leading to undue benefits in exchange for kickbacks.
As the legal battle unfolds, the Supreme Court’s decision regarding Kejriwal’s plea will have significant ramifications on the ongoing investigation and the political landscape in Delhi.
