Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court has granted significant relief to former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia. The hearing in the money laundering case related to Delhi's liquor policy has been postponed for now, and the court will now hear the case next in October.
New Delhi: Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court has provided relief from appearance to former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in the liquor policy case. The court exempted both leaders from appearing in court on Thursday, stating that the next hearing would take place in October. In this matter, arguments were presented in court on behalf of Kejriwal and Sisodia stating that they are currently visiting flood-affected areas in Punjab and are assisting victims with relief and rescue efforts. Based on this argument, the court granted both leaders exemption from appearance.
Background of the Liquor Policy Case
In the Delhi liquor policy case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) have alleged that deliberate flaws were introduced into the policy, benefiting private companies. In return, AAP leaders are accused of receiving over Rs 100 crore in bribes. The ED has registered this case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The investigating agency claims that this amount was used in the Goa and Punjab assembly elections.
Sisodia is the main accused in this case, and Kejriwal was arrested in March 2024. Sisodia had been in jail since February 2023. Later, the Supreme Court granted bail to both leaders in August-September 2024, but the trial in court is still ongoing.
Allegations by Investigating Agencies
Investigating agencies have claimed that the flaws in the liquor policy were intentionally included. These flaws provided undue advantage to certain private companies. The agencies state that through this, AAP leaders received over Rs 100 crore, which was then spent in assembly elections. The CBI initially registered an FIR and made Sisodia the main accused. Later, the ED added the money laundering angle and registered a case under PMLA.
It was informed to the court on behalf of Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia that they are currently visiting flood-affected areas in Punjab and are engaged in relief and rescue operations. Accepting this plea, the court granted them exemption from appearing on Thursday.
