Trouble For Arvind Kejriwal As Delhi L-G Gives Nod To ED To Prosecute AAP Chief In Excise Policy Case
Date
12/21/2024 3:24:19 AM
(MENAFN- Live Mint) Delhi Lieutenant Governor (L-G) VK Saxena granted permission to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to prosecute Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case. The move came ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections 2025, when Kejriwal's party will fight to retain power in the Union Territory.
The Enforcement Directorate had on December 5 sought permission for sanction of prosecution against Arvind Kejriwal. The move came after months of investigations into the Delhi government's excise policy.
Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court on Friday granted the Enforcement Directorate (ED) additional time to file its reply to the petition filed by Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia. The petition challenges the trial court's decision to take cognizance of the chargesheets in the Delhi Excise Liquor Policy case.
The matter has been scheduled for hearing on February 5, by the bench of Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri.
Recently Delhi High Court had issued a notice on Aam Aadmi Party' leader Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia plea challenging the trial court's decision to take cognizance of the Enforcement Directorate's chargesheet against them in the alleged excise policy scam.
Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia are currently out on bail in both the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) cases related to the now-scrapped excise policy.
According to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Excise Policy was deliberately designed with loopholes to benefit AAP leaders and foster cartel formations. The ED accused AAP leaders of receiving kickbacks from liquor businesses in exchange for preferential treatment, including discounts, license fee waivers, and relief during the Covid-19 disruptions.
The ED further alleged that the "scam" involved awarding wholesale liquor distribution rights to private entities with a fixed 12% margin, in return for a 6% kickback. Additionally, AAP leaders were accused of influencing the outcome of elections in Punjab and Goa in early 2022. (ANI)
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