New Delhi: Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena has given his approval to prosecute former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in the money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy 2021-22.
Sources aware of the developments told ThePrint that while the Enforcement Directorate (ED) wrote to Delhi’s Directorate of Vigilance on 3 December, the L-G granted his consent to prosecute the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener four days later on 7 December.
Named as a “key conspirator” and ‘kingpin’ of the alleged nexus that central agencies including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) allege was formed to fund AAP’s campaign before the Goa assembly elections, Kejriwal was arrested first on 21 March. The CBI took custody of Kejriwal while he was lodged at Tihar jail following his arrest by the ED.
While Kejriwal has been chargesheeted by both agencies, the Supreme Court released him on bail on 13 September.
The process of seeking prosecution sanction in cases involving public servants was necessitated by a Supreme Court judgment passed earlier last month that mandated approval from the competent authority for the same.
The letter sent by ED to the Delhi L-G, a copy of which ThePrint has seen, quoted the Supreme Court judgment to explain the need for a prosecution sanction to proceed in the case against Kejriwal.
Kerjiwal, on his part, moved the Delhi High Court last month challenging the trial court order taking cognisance of ED’s prosecution complaint against him. While the high court issued a notice to ED and is yet to decide on the matter, the agency has obtained the Delhi L-G’s approval.
On communication from the ED, Delhi government’s Directorate of Vigilance noted the “grave” nature of offense alleged by the agency and forwarded the file to L-G’s office on 4 December.
“This Directorate on perusal of the above found the matter serious/grave in nature as the offense done is related to the huge level corruption in framing and implementation of Excise Policy and proceeds of crime generated and laundered on account of framing of Policy. 9. It is evident that Directorate of Enforcement filed the Prosecution Complaint (SPC-7) against Sh. Arvind Kejriwal (Accused No. 37) on 17.05.2024 in the case M/s Indo-Spirits and Others for irregularities in framing and implementation of the excise policy of GNCTD of Delhi for the year 2021-22. The Ld Special Court has also taken cognizance of the Prosecution Complaint filed vide its order dated 09.07.2024, hence further comments & recommendation of Department in this case are not required,” the DoV noted while referring the file to the L-G office.