In the latest development, Arvind Kejriwal has been given a temporary release on the contentious city alcohol policy corruption charges, from the Supreme Court. However, he will serve jail term until the Central Bureau of Investigation conclude another probe on him.
Judges Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta oversaw the case where Mr. Kejriwal, who has been detained for over three months, was the center of focus. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) nabbed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader on March 21. He is charged with money laundering connected to the excise policy that no longer exists.
After being denied bail by the Delhi High Court on April 9, with the arrest deemed justified by law, Mr. Kejriwal sought redress from the Supreme Court. The High Court had characterized the arrest as the only option left for the central probe agency since Mr. Kejriwal ignored repeated summonses and did not cooperate with the investigation.
Both the ED and CBI are investigating the financial improprieties surrounding the introduction of the Delhi liquor policy in November 2021. The initiative saw the Department of Delhi government disengage from direct liquor sales so as to provide space for private licensees to run liquor stores. Nevertheless, in July 2022, the Delhi Chief Secretary, Naresh Kumar, disclosed that the policy had been contravened with an allegation that some liquor licensees had been favored inappropriately. This led to the withdrawal of the initiative by September 2022.
The CBI claims that liquor companies were instrumental in shaping the excise policy, promising them a 12% profit margin. According to the agency, a liquor lobby known as the “South Group” paid kickbacks amounting to ₹100 crores to the AAP, a portion of which was allegedly funneled to public officials. The ED is investigating the laundering of these kickbacks.
While Mr. Kejriwal’s interim bail in the ED case marks a notable legal victory, his legal battles are far from over. The CBI’s separate inquiry continues to pose significant challenges for the Delhi Chief Minister and his party.
Given Mr. Kejriwal’s prominent position in politics and the severity of the allegations, this matter has attracted substantial public interest. As investigations proceed and court cases unfold, the coming days will be crucial.
