Arvind Kejriwal Arrested by ED | What is AAP National Convenor's Connection With Delhi Excise Policy Scam?

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED)  in connection with the liquor policy scam case, AAP leader Atishi said.

The arrest comes after the Delhi High Court, earlier in the day, denied any interim protection from arrest to Kejriwal in connection with the summons issued to him by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the liquor policy scam case.

What is Arvind Kejriwal’s Connection With Liquor Policy Scam Case?

The ruling AAP government in the national capital introduced a series of changes in its liquor excise policy in 2021. The changes included the cessation of government-owned liquor stores with the issuance of store operation licenses to private entities, lowering of the legal drinking age from 25 to 21 years, and separate registration criteria for liquor brands on account of factors such as pricing and sales performance in areas outside of Delhi. It also proposed an increase in the annual liquor vending license fee from Rs 8 lakh to Rs 75 lakh.

The Delhi government further withdrew from the liquor retail business, granting licenses to 849 private vendors through competitive bidding.

However, soon after the policy was implemented, it was marred with allegations of corruption and favouritism in the licensing process by the Opposition.

Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena initiated an investigation into the new excise policy. Based on a report from Delhi’s top bureaucrat, the Delhi LG formally called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe.

Amid the drama, the Delhi government scrapped the excise policy.

In August 2022, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a case against 15 persons, including former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, in connection with various irregularities in the excise policy. Sisodia was arrested by the CBI in February 2023, followed by the ED in March 2023.

Arvind Kejriwal has been summoned by the central probe agency for questioning in connection with the case, nine times, however, the AAP national convenor chose to skip them every time.