Centre Sanctions ED Prosecution of Kejriwal, Sisodia in Liquor Scam Case

New Delhi: The Union Home Ministry has granted the Enforcement Directorate (ED) authorization to prosecute former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for his alleged involvement in the Delhi liquor policy scam, sources confirmed. This development follows a Supreme Court ruling in November requiring prior sanction for prosecuting public servants under the PMLA.

The ED has identified Kejriwal as the alleged mastermind behind the irregularities in the now-scrapped Delhi liquor policy. While the charges against him had been filed earlier, prosecution was delayed due to the absence of necessary clearance. With this sanction, the legal proceedings can now move forward in a Delhi court.

Kejriwal had previously approached the Delhi High Court to challenge the trial court's decision to consider the chargesheet, citing the lack of prosecutorial sanction. However, the Centre’s approval has now cleared that obstacle.

Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who were arrested in connection with the money laundering case, are currently out on bail. Both have consistently denied the allegations, accusing the BJP of using central agencies for political vendettas.

Reacting to the decision, Congress candidate Sandeep Dikshit said, “The CAG report clearly indicates it was a ₹2,000 crore scam. If such amounts were involved, a PMLA case is justified. The AAP’s reluctance to disclose the CAG report proves their dishonesty.”

AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar criticized the Centre’s move, alleging political motives. “This will be the first case in history where Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, both out on bail, face prosecution just before elections. It’s the BJP’s routine to file false cases and defame AAP leaders. But the public sees through this,” she said.
Background

The case centers around alleged irregularities in the formulation and implementation of Delhi’s liquor policy, which was scrapped amid controversies. The ED claims the policy was designed to favor certain private entities in exchange for kickbacks, a charge denied by AAP leaders.

The development adds to the political tensions in Delhi, with the AAP accusing the BJP-led Centre of targeting its leaders ahead of upcoming elections.