December 21st 2024.
Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has strongly denied the recent reports stating that Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has given the green light to prosecute AAP National Convener and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for his alleged involvement in the liquor policy scam. Sisodia took to social media on Saturday to address the issue, pointing out that if the permission to prosecute Kejriwal was indeed granted by LG Saxena, then why hasn't the Enforcement Directorate (ED) provided any proof of this permission? He stated that it was evident that these reports were false and misleading, and urged people to stop making baseless claims to divert attention from the real issue at hand - the disrespectful treatment of Babasaheb Ambedkar.
Earlier, sources had claimed that LG Saxena had given his approval for the ED's request to prosecute Kejriwal under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, in relation to the liquor policy case. This scam has been one of the main accusations made by the Opposition BJP against the Kejriwal-led AAP government. While a PMLA case had already been filed against Kejriwal, the trial was yet to commence. However, following a Supreme Court directive that requires the LG's approval to prosecute public officials in such cases, the ED had reportedly sought permission through the Chief Secretary.
In March, Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on charges of money laundering related to the scam. He was released on bail in September after spending several months in custody. After his release, Kejriwal resigned from his position as Chief Minister of Delhi and declared that he would only return to office after winning the 2025 Assembly elections. Sisodia, who was also implicated in the liquor policy case, was granted bail in August after being imprisoned for 18 months. The court had cited his right to a speedy trial while making this decision.
The ED had alleged that Kejriwal and Sisodia had made modifications to the Excise Policy 2021-22 in order to benefit a 'South lobby' in exchange for a bribe of Rs 100 crore. According to sources, the AAP had used Rs 45 crore from this bribe for their campaign in the Goa elections. Meanwhile, Kejriwal has filed an appeal to the Delhi High Court to dismiss the charge sheet against him, and the court has issued a notice to the ED in response to this on Friday.
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