Delhi HC Allows ED to Send E-Petition to 35 Accused in 2021-22 Liquor Policy Money Laundering Case, Saving ₹3 Lakh

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu):The Delhi High Court on Monday granted the Enforcement Directorate (ED) permission to send its petition electronically to 35 accused in the money laundering case related to the 2021-22 liquor policy, challenging the trial court’s order. The court issued this directive with the aim of saving public funds. The ED had informed the court that sending a 1,500-page petition to all the accused would incur an expenditure of around ₹3 lakh.

Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri, while considering the request, allowed the ED to send electronic copies of the petition to all the accused and their lawyers. The court also stated that if any accused demands a physical copy, it would be considered separately.

The Case Details

The case revolves around alleged irregularities during the amendment of the liquor policy and the unfair benefit granted to license holders. The Delhi government implemented the new liquor policy on November 17, 2021, but it was canceled by the end of September 2022 due to protests. This alleged scam involves 40 accused, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, AAP leader Sanjay Singh, and BRS leader K. Kavitha.

In November, the trial court had directed the ED to provide the accused with the charge sheet and other unrelated documents (those not used by the prosecution in the case). The ED challenged this order in the High Court. The ED’s lawyer argued that the trial court’s order contradicted a Supreme Court ruling. According to the lawyer, the trial court directed the ED to provide unrelated documents during the investigation stage, whereas the Supreme Court had mandated that only a list of such documents be shared at this stage, not the documents themselves.

The ED had requested permission from the court to send the documents to the remaining 35 accused electronically. The next hearing in this case is scheduled for January 30, 2025.