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The Union Home Ministry has approved the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) request to prosecute Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in connection with a money laundering case linked to the Delhi liquor policy scam. This decision follows Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena’s prior approval for the prosecution.
The case revolves around alleged irregularities in the formulation of the 2021-22 Delhi excise policy, now scrapped, which reportedly favored liquor lobbyists in exchange for kickbacks. The ED has termed Kejriwal the “kingpin and key conspirator” in its chargesheet. The investigation also implicates other AAP leaders, including Sisodia, who was a pivotal figure in drafting the policy.
Kejriwal has challenged the legality of the ED's chargesheet in the Delhi High Court, arguing that it lacked the requisite prior sanction before being filed. His arrest history dates back to March 2024 when the ED detained him, followed by a corruption case arrest by the CBI in June 2024. However, the Supreme Court granted him bail in September 2024. Shortly after securing bail, Kejriwal resigned as Delhi's Chief Minister, making way for Atishi to assume the post.
Sisodia, who was arrested in February 2023 by the ED and CBI, was released in August 2024 after 17 months in custody. Despite the legal setbacks, AAP has fielded Sisodia as its candidate from the Jangpura seat for the February 2025 Delhi Assembly elections.
The Supreme Court had previously ruled in November 2024 that the ED must secure prior sanction before prosecuting public servants, reinforcing procedural checks on investigative agencies. In line with this, the ED wrote to LG Saxena in December 2024, emphasizing the necessity of prosecuting Kejriwal and Sisodia to uphold justice.
The liquor policy case remains a significant political controversy, casting a shadow over AAP’s governance in Delhi. With Kejriwal and Sisodia under legal scrutiny, the outcome of the case could have far-reaching implications for the party’s political future.