The Delhi excise policy case began with the introduction of the new excise policy in November 2021, aiming to reform the liquor trade in the city. Allegations of irregularities and corruption surfaced, leading to a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in August 2022. Several high-profile arrests, including that of Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, were made between 2022 and 2023.
New Delhi: The Delhi excise policy case involves allegations of corruption, procedural lapses, and manipulation in the formulation and implementation of the 2021-2022 liquor policy in the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
A revised chronology of the events related to the excise policy-linked money laundering investigation, which saw a Delhi court scheduling its decision on Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal‘s request for interim bail for June 5.
- November 2021: Introduction of a new excise policy by the Delhi government.
- July 2022: Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena advocates for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation due to suspected discrepancies in the development and enforcement of the policy.
- August 2022: The CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) initiate investigations concerning the alleged policy irregularities.
- September 2022: Repeal of the excise policy by the Delhi government.
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- October 30, 2023: ED’s initial notice to Kejriwal, requiring his presence on November 2.
- December 2023: Two additional ED notices call for Kejriwal’s interrogation on December 21 and January 3.
- January 2024: Further notices from ED request Kejriwal’s appearance on January 18 and February 2.
- February 3: A formal complaint is lodged by ED against Kejriwal with a magisterial court for failing to respond to the summonses.
- February 7: Magisterial court summons Kejriwal on ED complaint.
- February: ED issues summonses for appearance of Kejriwal on February 19, February 26 and March 4.
- March 7: Magisterial court issues summons to Kejriwal on ED’s fresh complaint against him for evading summons.
- March 15: Sessions court refuses to stay proceedings against Kejriwal for skipping summons.
- March 16: Magisterial court grants bail to Kejriwal in ED’s complaints against him for skipping summons after he appears before it.
- March 21: Delhi HC refuses to grant protection from arrest to Kejriwal on his petition challenging summonses issued to him. ED arrests Kejriwal shortly after.
- March 23: Kejriwal moves Delhi HC challenging his arrest by ED and trial court order remanding him in agency’s custody.
- April 9: High Court dismisses Kejriwal’s petition against arrest by ED.
- April 10: Kejriwal moves SC challenging HC order upholding his arrest by ED.
- April 15: Supreme Court seeks response from ED by April 24 on Kejriwal’s plea challenging his arrest.
- April 24: ED tells SC that Kejriwal led investigating officer through his conduct “to form the satisfaction” that he is guilty of money laundering.
- April 27: Kejriwal tells Supreme Court that his “illegal arrest” in case constitutes an unprecedented assault on tenets of democracy based on “free and fair elections” and “federalism”.
- April 29: Supreme Court questions non-appearance of Kejriwal before ED despite repeated summonses for recording of statements and asks if he can challenge arrest on grounds of non-recording of his version.
- May 3: Supreme Court says it may consider granting interim bail to Kejriwal in view of ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
- May 8: Supreme Court says it will pronounce order on interim bail to Kejriwal on May 10.
- May 10: Supreme Court grants interim bail to Kejriwal till June 1 to campaign in Lok Sabha elections, says he will have to surrender and go back to jail on June 2.
- May 30: Kejriwal moves Delhi court seeking interim bail.
- Jun 1: Court reserved for June 5 order on Kejriwal’s interim bail plea.
Read Also: Delhi Court Extends K Kavitha’s Judicial Custody in Delhi Excise Policy Case Until June 3
The Delhi Excise Policy introduced in 2021 with the intention of revamping the liquor trade in the national capital. The policy aimed to streamline the sale and distribution of alcohol, reduce government involvement, and enhance revenue by encouraging fair competition. It proposed that retail licenses for liquor be auctioned to the highest bidders and that government-run liquor stores be phased out in favor of privately operated outlets.
The policy soon became the center of a major controversy. Allegations of corruption, favouritism, and irregularities in the tendering process levelled against various stakeholders. Key figures in the Delhi government, including some senior officials and political leaders, questioned. Several arrests and raids conducted as part of the investigation, drawing significant media attention and public scrutiny.
This matter drawn significant attention, not only due to the high-profile nature of the accused but also because of its implications for political and legal proceedings in the country.
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