Delhi Excise policy case: ED arrests Delhi CM Kejriwal; Know the scandal and controversy

PTC News Desk: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) took Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal into custody in connection with the Delhi Liquor Policy case. The ED team arrived at Kejriwal's residence at 7 pm on Thursday with the 10th summons and a search warrant. Following two hours of interrogation, the investigating agency proceeded with the arrest at 9 pm. Notably, former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia has been in jail for 13 months, and AAP leader Sanjay Singh for 6 months in the same case.

Kejriwal's arrest marks the first instance of a sitting Chief Minister being apprehended. Previously, former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren was also arrested by the ED, subsequently resigning from custody upon reaching Raj Bhavan.

Previous arrests:

Before Arvind Kejriwal, Vijay Nair, Abhishek Boinpalli, Sameer Mahindru, P Sarath Chandra, Binay Babu, Amit Arora, Gautam Malhotra, Raghav Manguta, Rajesh Joshi, Aman Dhal, Arun Pillai, Manish Sisodia, Dinesh Arora, Sanjay Singh, and K. Kavita have been arrested. Notably, a woman is among those detained.

Overview of the new Liquor Policy:

• Implemented by the AAP government of Delhi on November 17, 2021.
• Introduced 32 zones in the capital, with plans to open 27 shops in each, totaling 849 outlets.
• All liquor shops were privatised under the new policy, halting sales at government-run shops.
• Objective: To curb liquor mafia and black marketing.
• Previous policy had a 60-40 split between government and private shops; new policy made all shops 100 per cent private.
• License fees were increased, and rules for license holders were relaxed.
• However, irregularities were exposed, including a lack of approval from the Lieutenant Governor and manipulation in fee returns.
• The new policy was withdrawn due to political pressure, with the old policy reinstated on September 1, 2022.
  
  
  
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Allegations against AAP's Liquor Policy:

1. Waiving off license fees by liquor companies citing the pandemic.
2. Contracts awarded to a blacklisted company.
3. Granting licenses despite a ban on cartels.
4. Arbitrary passage of votes without proper procedure.
5. Increase in contractors' commission and permissions to sell liquor in retail areas.

Report findings:

A report dated July 8, 2022, accused Sisodia, then in charge of the Excise Department, of fraudulent activities under the new policy. Companies were allegedly granted a rebate of Rs 144.36 crore in license fees without approval. This resulted in undue gains for licensees and substantial losses for the government exchequer. Any policy change made without proper approval was deemed illegal.

The report highlighted that the Excise Department must send any policy changes to the Cabinet and Lieutenant Governor for approval. Unauthorised alterations are considered unlawful.

Also Read: Supreme Court to quickly consider Arvind Kejriwal's arrest appeal

Aso Read: Arvind Kejriwal's arrest: Delhi gears for AAP protest, tightened security, ITO station closure

(Inputs from agencies)