Union Home Ministry clears path for ED to prosecute Kejriwal

The Union Home Ministry has cleared the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to prosecute former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over alleged irregularities in the 2021-22 Delhi excise policy. The decision comes after the Supreme Court’s November 6 ruling, which required the ED to obtain prior sanction for prosecution in money laundering cases, just like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

In August 2024, the CBI also received permission to prosecute Kejriwal in a parallel corruption case linked to the excise policy. The case against him had been delayed, pending sanction, but the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, V.K. Saxena, granted approval last month for the ED to move forward with its prosecution.

Kejriwal was initially arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on March 21 and later named in a charge sheet on May 17. The ED alleges that ₹45 crore out of a total ₹100 crore bribe was funneled into the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Goa election campaign.

The agency claims that Kejriwal, as the national convenor of AAP, was ultimately responsible for the funds’ use and generation. The ED further asserts that Kejriwal controlled the party’s activities and was deeply involved in the policy’s decision-making process.

The ED’s charge sheet accuses Kejriwal of demanding kickbacks and describes him as the “kingpin” behind the alleged irregularities in the excise policy. According to the agency, Kejriwal, along with his former deputy Manish Sisodia and ex-AAP media in-charge Vijay Nair, sought additional bribes beyond the ₹100 crore to fund their election campaigns. The ED claims it has identified proceeds of crime amounting to ₹1,100 crore.

Kejriwal’s associate, Vinod Chauhan, is also accused of handling the transfer of ₹25.5 crore in bribe money for AAP’s Goa election from Delhi. Kejriwal has denied all charges, calling the allegations baseless.

As the prosecution moves forward, both the ED and CBI continue to investigate the case, while Kejriwal faces increasing pressure. The outcome of the legal proceedings could have far-reaching consequences for the political landscape in Delhi and beyond.