In the latest development in alleged Delhi Liquor Policy scam, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia appeared before Rouse Avenue Court today, where his judicial custody along with other accused was extended till May 30. The hearing of will take place on this date. Sisodia and other prisoners appeared from the jail through video conferencing.
The case stems from the Delhi government’s “Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22”, which was implemented by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government during the COVID-19 pandemic. Complaints of irregularities in the implementation of the policy prompted the Lieutenant Governor to recommend a CBI inquiry, which led to a thorough investigation of the policy and the policy’s cancellation amid allegations of irregularities in its formulation and implementation.
The CBI filed an FIR against 15 persons in August 2022 for alleged violations of rules and procedural anomalies in the new liquor policy. Subsequently, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) also initiated a money laundering investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with the same policy.
Both ED and CBI are separately investigating the alleged scam in the new liquor policy of Delhi government. The ED is investigating allegations of money laundering in the formulation and implementation of the policy, while the CBI is focusing on alleged irregularities during the formulation of the policy.
Both the agencies, CBI and ED, have made over 15 arrests and filed six charge sheets in Delhi Liquor Policy irregularities case. The arrests include high-profile names like Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh and executives from important business and pharmaceutical entities. Some accused, including Sanjay Singh, have taken bail, while others have turned government witnesses. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was granted interim bail on May 10.
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