Kejriwal’s prosecution by ED approved by Home Ministry

Because of the upcoming Delhi elections, Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia find themselves in a tight spot. It has been reported that the Union Home Ministry has allowed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to prosecute Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) charges. Sources also said the prosecution permission had been granted to prosecute Manish Sisodia, senior AAP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister.

The Union Home Ministry has approved prosecuting Kejriwal under the PMLA concerning money laundering, liquor, and scam cases related to the 2021-22 scam case. It was later on that the Kejriwal-led AAP government revoked this provision after the Supreme Court gave its verdict in November 2024, that prior approval was needed for ED also for prosecuting someone under section 197 (1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure now Section 218 of the Indian Civil Defense Code in money laundering cases. Charges that were framed against Arvind Kejriwal were put on hold by a special PMLA court in Delhi after Kejriwal challenged the sub judice(ness) in the Delhi High Court that cognizance of a chargesheet cannot be taken without sanction for prosecution under the PMLA. Last month, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena sanctioned the agency for the trial of the former CM. The CBI got approval from the relevant authorities concerning a public servant about a chargesheet to be filed against Arvind Kejriwal for preventing corruption committed by public servants under the Prevention of Corruption Act, AS, and Section in the Corruption related to liquor policy in August 2024.

The Enforcement Directorate filed a chargesheet against Arvind Kejriwal naming him one of three top accused persons. Right now he is out on bail. The ED said he had taken bribes to favor certain liquor traders during the Goa elections campaign. Kejriwal was the agency’s investigation’s point person in terms of whom was using the money and generating money in his function as a national convenor and member of the national executive which led to ongoing questioning by the investigating agency. Claims have surfaced against Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party for conspiracy profiteering, apparently from a cartel named the ‘South Group’ about control over the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages within the national capital territory. The group is believed to have caused the so-called 2021-22 excise policy, which the Delhi government has promulgated for the public.

Currently, both Kejriwal and Sisodia are out on bail. Both have denied all allegations and said that the BJP has been trying to misuse the investigation agency against the political opponents. The two are now campaigning for the February 5 elections in Delhi. Kejriwal has stated that he will be standing for nomination in the New Delhi constituency on Wednesday.