Delhi Excise Policy Case: Home Ministry authorises ED to prosecute Arvind Kejriwal

The ED referred to Kejriwal as the "kingpin and key conspirator" of the so-called Delhi excise "scam."

The Home Ministry, on Wednesday, granted the Enforcement Directorate (ED) the necessary authorisation to prosecute former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the excise policy-linked money laundering case, officials confirmed.

This development follows the filing of a chargesheet against the 56-year-old politician last year, after his arrest in March. The ED has now been authorised to proceed with prosecution under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in this case, which involves alleged corruption and money laundering surrounding the Delhi government's 2021-22 excise policy, later scrapped by the government.

The case, which is being closely followed ahead of the Delhi Assembly election on February 5, saw Kejriwal named both personally and in his capacity as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor. The ED referred to him as the "kingpin and key conspirator" of the so-called Delhi excise "scam."

The charges suggest that Kejriwal colluded with Delhi government ministers, AAP leaders, and others to facilitate alleged irregularities in the excise policy's formulation and execution. The ED claims that AAP, as a political party, is categorised as a "company" under Section 70 of the PMLA and that Kejriwal, as head of the party at the time of the offense, and the party itself are liable under the anti-money laundering law.

The excise case emerged after Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena recommended a CBI investigation into alleged irregularities, which was subsequently followed by the ED's involvement. Taking cognisance of a CBI FIR filed on August 17, 2022, the ED registered its own case under PMLA five days later, on August 22, 2022, to further investigate the charges.

(With inputs from agencies)