Delhi Liquor Scam: Home Ministry Grants ED Permission to File Money Laundering Case Against Kejriwal and Sisodia

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Union Home Ministry has granted the Enforcement Directorate (ED) permission to prosecute Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia in connection with the alleged money laundering case tied to the Delhi liquor scam. Earlier, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena had authorized the prosecution of Kejriwal. In November 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that the ED must seek permission before prosecuting government employees.

Arvind Kejriwal had filed a petition in the Delhi High Court, arguing that the ED's chargesheet against him and others was illegal because prior approval from the relevant authorities had not been obtained. In December 2024, the ED sent a letter to the Delhi LG requesting approval to prosecute stating that Kejriwal was the "kingpin and key conspirator" in the liquor scam case.

Recently, the Delhi High Court reprimanded the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government for delaying the discussion of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report in the assembly. Justice Sachin Dutta noted that the Delhi government withdrew its call for a special session to avoid tabling the report. The BJP has used the CAG report to allege that Delhi incurred a revenue loss of Rs 2,026 crore due to the liquor policy scam further claiming that several AAP leaders received bribes in connection with the scandal.