The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has obtained approval from Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena to prosecute former Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal in the alleged liquor policy scam, sources report. This development comes just weeks ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, where AAP is seeking a fourth term amidst strong opposition from the BJP.

The ED sought prosecution approval under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, on December 5, citing a November 6 Supreme Court ruling. The judgment clarified that government approval is required to prosecute public servants under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). The ED’s letter to the Lt Governor alleged widespread corruption in the formulation and execution of Delhi’s excise policy.

Kejriwal was arrested earlier this year by the ED in March and the CBI in June on charges related to money laundering and corruption in the liquor policy case. Although granted bail by the Supreme Court in both instances, Kejriwal challenged a trial court's order in November, arguing that cognizance of the ED’s supplementary charge sheet had been taken without the mandatory prosecution sanction for a public servant.

The ED had filed its charge sheet on July 9, presenting evidence it claimed was sufficient to proceed against Kejriwal and AAP. The charge sheet, spanning 200 pages, named both Kejriwal and his party as accused.

AAP Denies Allegations, Demands Proof of Sanction
AAP leaders dismissed the claims as politically motivated. Former Delhi minister Manish Sisodia and AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar questioned the ED's claims, accusing it of spreading false information. Sisodia challenged the agency to provide a copy of the alleged sanction. “If the Lt Governor has given permission, why hasn’t the ED produced it? This seems like an attempt to distract from the issue of disrespect towards Dr. BR Ambedkar,” he said.

Kakkar echoed similar concerns, asserting that no such sanction had been granted. “If the ED has the approval, let them show it,” she said.

The controversy adds to the already heated political climate in Delhi, with AAP alleging that the allegations are a strategy to undermine its campaign as elections approach.