New Delhi: The Supreme Court has sought clarification from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding the absence of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as an 'accused' in the Delhi liquor policy case. The court clarified that the inquiry was "not to implicate any political party" but rather posed as a "legal question" in the context of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The clarification came during the hearing of the bail plea by Delhi's former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who was arrested in connection with the liquor policy case in February. The court questioned the ED about the omission of the AAP as an accused despite allegations of the party receiving ₹100 crore in kickbacks.
Justice Sanjiv Khanna explained that the question was not meant to implicate anyone but to clarify whether other individuals could be prosecuted if the primary beneficiary (in this case, the AAP) was not being prosecuted. The ED is expected to submit a detailed reply emphasizing accountability based on evidence. Additional Solicitor General SV Raju assured the court that they would take action based on evidence. The ED has reportedly traced a money trail leading to the AAP, suggesting that funds were used to support election campaigns. The court raised concerns about the AAP's involvement and questioned why the party had not been named as an accused.
In addition to the AAP's involvement, the court also raised a separate "legal question" about whether a court of law could examine a Cabinet note, specifically the Delhi government's notes related to the formation of the liquor policy. The case revolves around the now-scrapped 2021 liquor policy, where the AAP withdrew from liquor sales, allowing private individuals to operate stores. The Delhi government reported a 27% increase in income, generating ₹8,900 crore in revenue. However, controversy arose after allegations of rule violations in awarding liquor licenses.
The case expanded with the ED implicating K Kavitha, daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, claiming that the policy resulted in a ₹2,800 crore loss for the Delhi government. Apart from Sisodia, the ED also arrested AAP MP Sanjay Singh, accused of facilitating meetings between Sisodia and Dinesh Arora, a businessman initially charged but later granted bail after becoming an approver. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was questioned by the CBI in April for nine hours, denied all allegations.
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