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The case pertained to the 2021-22 policy introduced by the Delhi government to revitalize the city's liquor trade. The policy, intended to improve customer experience and modernize stores, was later abandoned following allegations of irregularities and a subsequent CBI investigation requested by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. The ED accused the Aam Aadmi Party, led by Kejriwal, of receiving ₹100 crore in kickbacks related to the policy, which was allegedly used in the party's election campaign in Goa.
The Rouse Avenue Court, on Friday, granted authorization to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to initiate prosecution against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal concerning the now defunct liquor excise policy case.
Special Judge Kaveri Baweja was scheduled to examine both the CBI's supplementary charge sheet and the Enforcement Directorate's additional chargesheet on the same day. Earlier, on July 30, the CBI filed its fourth supplementary charge sheet, accusing Kejriwal of being a principal conspirator in the case.
Kejriwal, who had been under judicial custody since his arrest on June 26, faced additional charges as the CBI had previously submitted a supplementary charge sheet against him. This approval was a crucial step for the CBI to advance with the prosecution.
Despite being granted interim bail by the Supreme Court in the ED case on July 12, Kejriwal remained incarcerated due to the ongoing CBI case. His initial arrest by the ED occurred on March 21, shortly after the Delhi High Court dismissed his plea for interim protection from arrest. He was later taken into custody by the CBI on June 26 and has remained in judicial custody since June 29.
Regarding the bail plea, the Supreme Court postponed the hearing of Kejriwal's petition challenging his CBI arrest until September 5. The CBI informed the Supreme Court that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal played a key role in the creation of a new excise policy, allegedly in collaboration with his then-deputy, Manish Sisodia, in exchange for ₹100 crore from co-accused members of the "south group."
The court permitted the CBI to file a counter affidavit and granted Kejriwal two days to submit a rejoinder. The CBI's affidavit alleged that Kejriwal was exploiting the case for political purposes and implicated him in a criminal conspiracy related to the Delhi excise policy.
On August 5, the Delhi High Court upheld the legality of Kejriwal's arrest, confirming that the CBI had acted upon sufficient evidence and obtained the necessary sanction in April 2024.
[Inputs: Hindustan Times]
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