This came after the Supreme Court denied bail to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and ex-Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, citing a Rs. 338 crore money trail in the case.
A bench comprised of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti said Sisodia could seek bail if the trial “proceeds slowly or sloppily” over the next three months.
What is the significance of this story?
In addition to Sisodia, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh has been arrested in connection with the alleged scam involving the 2021-22 Delhi Excise Policy.
To recall, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) interrogated Kejriwal, who is also the AAP’s leader, for nine hours in April as part of its investigation into the matter.
Aside from the CBI, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is looking into the alleged scam’s money laundering aspect.
Kejriwal’s arrest is imminent following Sisodia’s bail rejection, according to the BJP.
Following the court’s decision on Monday, Manoj Tiwari of the Delhi BJP stated, “It is clear that the top leadership of the [AAP] was involved in the liquor scam.”
“Now, the arrest of the top leadership is imminent, including…Kejriwal,” he told reporters.
The AAP’s defenses, according to BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala, “fell flat on their faces.” He also called for Kejriwal’s resignation.
“Kejriwal should resign immediately for not only defending the corrupt but for his own role in this [liquor scam],” he told reporters.
Money trail of Rs. 338 crore established: SC
The Supreme Court denied Sisodia bail after noting that the investigative agencies had tentatively established a Rs. 338 crore money trail.
“One aspect, involving the transfer of…Rs. 338 crore, has been tentatively established.” As a result, we have dismissed the bail application,” the Supreme Court said, according to Live Law.
It did, however, inform the investigating authorities that Sisodia’s trial must be completed within six to eight months.
Delhi’s liquor policy is a shambles.
The AAP-led Delhi government announced the 2021-22 Excise Policy, which aims to privatize alcohol sales and license liquor dealers.
However, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena ordered an investigation, claiming that there were some irregularities.
The CBI filed a FIR in the case, which prompted the ED to launch its own investigation.
The ED also claimed that a South Indian group was involved. The policy went into effect in November 2021 and was terminated in July 2022.