The MHA has given the ED approval to prosecute AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and former Delhi Minister Manish Sisodia in a money laundering case linked to the Delhi liquor policy scandal. This decision follows the approval of Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor, VK Saxena, who gave his consent to prosecute Kejriwal in the case.
In a ruling last November, the Supreme Court mandated that the ED must seek prior sanction before prosecuting public servants. The ED approached Saxena the following month, requesting sanction for Kejriwal’s prosecution, citing him as the “kingpin and key conspirator” in the alleged scam.
Kejriwal, however, challenged the charges in the Delhi High Court, arguing that the ED’s chargesheet was illegal because it was filed without the necessary prior approval from authorities.
The case against Kejriwal revolves around allegations of irregularities in the 2021-22 Delhi excise policy. It is claimed that Kejriwal, along with other AAP leaders, including Sisodia, intentionally created loopholes in the policy to receive kickbacks from the liquor industry.
Kejriwal was first arrested by the ED on March 21, 2024, in connection with the money laundering case. Later, on June 26, 2024, he was arrested by the CBI in a corruption case. In September 2024, the Supreme Court granted bail to Kejriwal, and shortly after, he resigned as Delhi’s CM, allowing senior AAP leader Atishi to take over the position.
Sisodia, who had been arrested by both the ED and CBI in connection with the liquor policy case, was released from jail in August 2024 after 17 months of detention.
