“AAP to Be Named as Accused in Historic Corruption Chargesheet by Enforcement Directorate”

In Short

• ED to name AAP as accused in fresh chargesheet in liquor policy case
• Arvind Kejriwal to also be named as accused for the first time
• Agency to file chargesheet after Supreme Court’s interim bail hearing

In a significant development, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is set to become the first national party to be named as an accused in a corruption case chargesheet filed by a government agency.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is preparing to name AAP in a fresh chargesheet related to the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam, marking the first instance of a national-level political entity facing such allegations.

Furthermore, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is expected to be implicated as an accused for the first time, with the ED identifying him as the ‘kingpin’ and key conspirator in the liquor policy case.

The agency claims to have established a money trail linked to Kejriwal, alleging that a portion of the kickbacks received by AAP was utilized during the party’s campaign in the 2022 Goa Assembly elections.

The impending chargesheet is anticipated to be filed following a hearing in the Supreme Court regarding Kejriwal’s interim bail.

Kejriwal, who has been in judicial custody since March 21 in connection with the liquor policy case, is slated to complete two months in detention on May 21.

The ED’s move to file the chargesheet underscores the agency’s assertion of fulfilling its obligation to present the charges within two months of arrest.

This development marks the seventh chargesheet in the ongoing investigation into the liquor policy case by the ED, which has already arrested 18 individuals, including former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh.

While Singh was granted bail last month, Kejriwal’s interim bail remains under scrutiny by the Supreme Court.

In response to the ED’s actions, AAP has lodged a complaint with the Supreme Court registry, condemning the agency’s affidavit as a violation of legal procedures.

The party asserts that the affidavit was submitted without the necessary approval from the apex court and questions its timing, just ahead of the decision on Kejriwal’s bail status.