CBI summons Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi Excise Policy Case
CBI is investigating the case that the liquor policy implemented by the Delhi govt last year gave undue advantages to all the private retailers
New Delhi, April 14: On April 16, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has summoned Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for questioning in relation to a case involving the Delhi Excise policy.
This case is linked to former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who is currently in judicial custody due to alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of the excise policy of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD).
This case began in October of 2021 when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided over thirty locations in Delhi and Punjab. This raid followed the arrest of Sameer Mahendru, the managing director of Jor Bagh-based liquor distributor Indospirit Group. The CBI then filed its first charge-sheet in the case earlier this week.
The ED and CBI allege that there were irregularities committed while modifying the Excise Policy, such as undue favours being extended to licence holders, the licence fee being waived or reduced, and the L-1 licence being extended without the competent authority's approval.
Additionally, the Excise Department allegedly decided to refund the Earnest Money Deposit of about Rs 30 crore to a successful tenderer against the set rules. Furthermore, a waiver on tendered licence fees was allowed from December 28, 2021 to January 27, 2022 due to COVID-19, leading to a loss of Rs 144.36 crore to the exchequer.
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These allegations have been instituted on a reference from the Union Home Ministry, following a recommendation from Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. As a result, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been summoned for questioning by the CBI on April 16.
Meanwhile, Enforcement Directorate (ED) questioned and recorded statement of former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia at Tihar Jail in connection with its ongoing probe in the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 money laundering case. The probe agency has also made a fresh arrest in the case as it took custody of Hyderabad-based businessman Arun Ramchandra Pillai.
Manish Sisodia was arrested on February 26 in an ongoing investigation of a case related to alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of the excise policy of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD). Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court sent him to judicial custody till March 20.
The ED last year filed its first chargesheet in the case. The agency said it had so far undertaken nearly 200 search operations in this case after filing an FIR after taking cognisance of a CBI case which was registered on the recommendation of the Delhi Lieutenant Governor.
In October, the ED had raided nearly three dozen locations in Delhi and Punjab following the arrest of Sameer Mahendru, Managing Director of Delhi's Jor Bagh-based liquor distributor Indospirit Group, in the case and arrested him later.
The CBI too filed its first charge sheet in the case early this week.
The ED and the CBI had alleged that irregularities were committed while modifying the Delhi Excise Policy, undue favours were extended to licence holders, licence fee was waived or reduced and the L-1 licence was extended without the competent authority's approval.
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