Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has been made an accused in the liquor policy scam case, the Enforcement Directorate told the Supreme Court on Friday.
While hearing a petition filed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju told the top court that a prosecution complaint is being filed today and AAP has been made an accused.
The liquor policy case pertains to alleged corruption and money laundering in the formulation and execution of the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22, which was later scrapped.
The probe agency alleges that Rs 45 crore "kickbacks", out of the Rs 100 crore "bribe" provided by the 'South Group', were used by the AAP for the Goa assembly election campaign in 2022, and it called Arvind Kejriwal the "kingpin" of the scam.
As per charges, the AAP government hiked the profit margin for wholesalers to 12 per cent in lieu of a 6 per cent kickback, causing a loss of Rs 2,873 crore to Delhi government. AAP media head Vijay Nair, on behalf of the party, allegedly took Rs 100 crore in advance from a ‘South group’.
The Enforcement Directorate has so far filed seven chargesheets in the case. Eighteen people have been arrested, including Arvind Kejriwal, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Sing, BRS leader K Kavitha and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.
Kejriwal was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court on April 10.