“AAP Set to Be Named Accused in Delhi Liquor Policy Scandal, ED Informs High Court”

In Short

• ED says will name AAP in the Delhi liquor policy case
• Supplementary chargesheet to be filed soon, agency tells court
• Claims accused delaying trial in the excise policy scam case

During today’s proceedings, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) disclosed to the Delhi High Court that the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is slated to be implicated as an accused in the ongoing Delhi liquor policy case.

This revelation unfolded amidst the hearing of bail petitions for AAP leader Manish Sisodia, former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, who has been entangled in the legal proceedings linked to the case.

In a significant development, the central probe agency apprised the court that a supplementary chargesheet, which is imminent, will formally include the AAP as an accused entity in the ongoing investigation.

The ED’s stance was further reinforced as it opposed Sisodia’s bail plea, citing concerted efforts by the accused to delay the trial proceedings pertaining to the excise policy scam case.

The crux of the excise case revolves around allegations of corruption and money laundering in the formulation and implementation of the Delhi government’s excise policy for the fiscal year 2021-22, which was subsequently annulled.

The Enforcement Directorate contends that the AAP allegedly received kickbacks amounting to Rs 45 crore from the ‘South Group’, out of a purported Rs 100 crore bribe, ostensibly utilized for the Goa assembly election campaign in 2022.

Amidst these allegations, the ED has singled out Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as the alleged “kingpin” orchestrating the scam.

Notably, the Enforcement Directorate has already filed seven chargesheets in connection with the case, with the latest being filed on April 10.

This latest chargesheet identified BRS leader K Kavitha and four others as accused individuals.

The intensifying legal saga has seen the arrest of eighteen individuals thus far, including Kejriwal on March 21 and Kavitha on March 15.

However, Kejriwal was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court on April 10, mitigating some of the legal pressure.

Meanwhile, Manish Sisodia, who was apprehended in March of the previous year, remains under judicial custody.

Both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate have been scrutinizing Sisodia’s involvement in the case, alleging irregularities and undue favoritism in the modification of the excise policy and concessions provided to license holders.

The controversial Delhi liquor policy, implemented on November 17, 2021, faced swift retraction by the government by the conclusion of September 2022, amidst mounting allegations of corruption and impropriety.

As the legal proceedings continue to unfold, the ED’s announcement underscores the gravity of the allegations implicating the AAP in the unfolding scandal.