Excise Policy Case: LG gives nod to ED to prosecute Arvind Kejriwal

New Delhi, Dec 21:  Ahead of the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena has granted permission to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to prosecute AAP Chief and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the controversial excise policy case.

This development follows the ED’s request on December 5 for sanction to prosecute Kejriwal. The excise policy has been at the center of ongoing investigations and allegations of corruption within the Delhi government.

Meanwhile, on Friday, the Delhi High Court granted the ED additional time to file its response to a petition filed by Kejriwal and former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia. The petition challenges the trial court’s decision to take cognizance of the chargesheets in the excise policy case. The matter is set for hearing on February 5, with Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri presiding over the case.

Both Kejriwal and Sisodia are currently out on bail in cases related to the scrapped excise policy, being investigated by both the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The ED has alleged that the policy was designed with loopholes to benefit AAP leaders, allowing them to receive kickbacks from liquor businesses in exchange for preferential treatment, such as discounts and license fee waivers.

Further allegations include awarding wholesale liquor distribution rights to private entities in return for kickbacks, and claims that AAP leaders influenced elections in Punjab and Goa in early 2022.