Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has now walked out of the jail. The Delhi CM was taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the Delhi Liquor case.

Supreme Court has now granted bail to the CM, whom CBI arrested on June 26th, 2024. However, the new turn in the story came, when Kejriwal announced his resignation as Delhi CM.

Kejriwal is now among the high-profile leaders, including Manish Sisodia, Ex. Deputy Chief Minister, who was in jail for the Delhi Excise policy. The Delhi CM is out on bail upon providing bail bonds of Rs 10 lakh. He has been directed by the Supreme Court to attend all court meetings and refrain from making public statements regarding the case.

Delhi Liquor Case

On November 21, the Delhi government headed by Arvind Kejriwal, introduced a new alcohol policy for the nation’s capital. The policy ceased the selling of alcohol through government outlets and allowed private companies to seek licenses to operate their stores.

The new regulation, according to the Kejriwal administration, will boost government revenue, combat illicit marketing, and benefit consumers more. The policy made it possible for liquor stores to stay open until midnight and give out endless discounts. Consequently, many private liquor stores experienced a surge in sales and the Delhi government announced a 27% gain in revenue.

However, the idea was strongly opposed by the ruling party BJP, which charged that the Kejriwal administration was encouraging a ‘liquor culture.’ Concerns about the abundance of booze retailers in residential areas were raised.

How the Case Came to Light?

The controversy regarding the policy exploded when claims surfaced that the AAP government had utilized the Delhi liquor policy to extend undue financial benefits after the tenders had been issued.

The state treasury is believed to have suffered significant losses, as a result of this alleged misuse. The CBI looked for the allegations that provided unfair benefits to retailers. They claim that significant bribes were paid in return for favors, and the funds were diverted to the AAP’s election campaign in Goa.

The CBI first knocked on the door of Mr. Sisodia in August 2022. The ED also participated in the investigation. The ED case was based on FIR, filed by CBI against Mr. Sisodia and 14 others.

Kejriwal Arrest

Kejriwal was taken into custody on 18 March 2024, by the ED in the Dehi excise policy case. The arrest came after the denial of the Delhi High Court on Kejriwal’s plea for protection from the arrest.

Kejriwal was summoned before the ED nine times between October 2023 and March 2024, but he ignored the summons.
Kejriwal’s arrest represented the third prominent detention of an AAP leader, following the arrest of Manish Sisodia, in a liquor scam.

Charges Against the AAP Leaders

The ED further accused Kejriwal of being personally involved with those in connection with the Delhi liquor scam and encouraging them to cooperate with other accused in the case. The agency additionally asserts that the election campaign in Punjab and Goa was done with money from the policy. It was noted that a six percent commission was allegedly given to AAP leaders.

In March of 2024, the ED disclosed to the court that over Rs 292 had been illicitly accumulated related to the excise policy. It has also been claimed that BRS leader K Kavitha paid Rs 100 crore to AAP leaders to benefit from the policy.