NEW DELHI: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has sanctioned the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to prosecute former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his former deputy Manish Sisodia under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with alleged irregularities in Delhi’s excise policy.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena had recommended this decision while urging prosecution clearance. The Centre has approved at a time when Kejriwal and Sisodia are facing court cases and investigations.
Kejriwal was the Chief Minister of Delhi for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). He has been fighting cases against him related to the excise policy for 2021-22. The ED arrested him on March 21, 2024, due to non-cooperation with the investigation. Kejriwal was granted bail by the Supreme Court in the separate ED and CBI cases on July 12 and September 13, 2024. He resigned as Chief Minister on September 17, 2024.
Sisodia, who the CBI had arrested on February 26, 2023, and then by the ED a day later, was released on bail by the Supreme Court on August 9, 2024. The court mentioned the implausibility of finishing the trial as soon as possible. Sources show that the ED filed consent in court on December 3, 2024, seeking permission to prosecute Kejriwal. Such a request was presented to Delhi Chief Secretary Dharmendra in his position as Chief Vigilance Officer.
The ED, referencing a Supreme Court judgement clarifying procedural requirements under the PMLA, emphasised the necessity of obtaining prosecution sanction in this case. The central agency had previously filed a prosecution complaint in May 2024 against Kejriwal and others over alleged financial irregularities in framing and implementing the excise policy. A special court took cognisance of this complaint in July 2024.