Centre’s Nod Clears Way for ED Action Against Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia
New Delhi: In a significant development ahead of the Delhi elections, the Union Home Ministry has granted approval for the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to prosecute Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped liquor policy. The ministry has also approved prosecution against former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in the same case, sources said.
This decision follows a Supreme Court ruling in November, which required investigative agencies like the ED and CBI to secure prior clearance to prosecute public servants. The ED had earlier alleged that Mr. Kejriwal was the mastermind behind irregularities in the Delhi liquor policy case, but charges remained stalled in a Delhi court due to a lack of necessary sanctions. With the Centre’s approval, this hurdle has now been removed.
In December, Mr. Kejriwal challenged the trial court’s acceptance of the ED chargesheet in the Delhi High Court, arguing that the agency lacked proper authorization to prosecute him.
Both Mr. Kejriwal and Mr. Sisodia were arrested in connection with the case and are currently out on bail. They have consistently denied the allegations, accusing the BJP of weaponizing central agencies to target political opponents.
The two leaders are now actively campaigning for the February 5 election in the national capital. Today, Mr. Kejriwal filed his nomination to contest from the New Delhi constituency. Politically, this development is expected to intensify the BJP’s attacks on the ruling AAP in the lead-up to the polls.
