Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has received a big setback from the High Court. The High Court has rejected the petition challenging the arrest. The High Court has asked Kejriwal to go to the special judge.
Kejriwal has been arrested by ED and CBI in the alleged liquor scam of Delhi. Kejriwal had challenged the legality of the arrest by both the agencies. He had also applied for interim bail. The High Court has rejected his petition.
What is Delhi liquor scam
The Kejriwal government of Delhi implemented the Excise Policy 2021-22 on 17 November 2021. Under the new policy, the government came out of the liquor business and all the shops went into private hands. The Delhi government claimed that the new liquor policy would end the mafia rule and increase the government’s revenue.
However, this policy was in controversy from the very beginning and when the uproar increased, the government canceled it on 28 July 2022. The alleged liquor scam was revealed on 8 July 2022 by the report of the then Chief Secretary of Delhi, Naresh Kumar. In this report, he had made serious allegations against many big leaders of Aam Aadmi Party including Manish Sisodia. Delhi LG VK Saxena had recommended a CBI inquiry.
After this, the CBI registered a case on 17 August 2022. There was also an allegation of money laundering in this, so the ED also registered a case to investigate money laundering. The Chief Secretary in his report had accused Manish Sisodia of preparing the liquor policy in an incorrect manner. Manish Sisodia also had the Excise Department. It was alleged that through the new policy, licensed liquor traders were given undue benefits.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)