Special Judge Kaveri Baweja extended the deadline to August 27 after the CBI informed the court that the necessary approvals had not yet been received from the relevant authorities. The CBI had previously secured permission to investigate both individuals in this case.
![[Excise Case] Court Grants CBI Additional 15 days to Get Sanctions to Prosecute Delhi CM Kejriwal, AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak](https://i0.wp.com/lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/image-55-1.png?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)
NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on Monday(12th Aug) granted the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) an additional 15 days to obtain the required sanctions to prosecute Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak in connection with a corruption case involving the alleged excise scam.
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Special Judge Kaveri Baweja extended the deadline to August 27 after the CBI informed the court that the necessary approvals had not yet been received from the relevant authorities. The CBI had previously secured permission to investigate both individuals in this case.
Kejriwal was arrested by the CBI on June 26 while he was already in judicial custody at Tihar Jail in connection with a money-laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court granted interim bail to Kejriwal in the case registered by the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, providing a temporary reprieve in the ongoing legal saga related to the liquor policy case.
Pathak, a senior member of the Aam Aadmi Party’s political affairs committee, is known to be closely associated with Kejriwal. On August 8, the judge had extended Kejriwal’s judicial custody in the case until August 20.
The case centers around allegations of irregularities in the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22. The CBI had filed a chargesheet in the case, naming Kejriwal and Sisodia as accused. However, the agency requires prior sanction from the competent authority to prosecute the two Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, as they are public servants.
What is Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22?
The New Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, launched in November 2021, sought to transform the capital’s liquor retail industry. Its goals included boosting state revenue, curbing the sale of counterfeit alcohol, and improving the overall consumer experience. Despite these objectives, the policy faced strong opposition and accusations of procedural flaws, leading to its cancellation on August 1, 2022.
A major feature of the policy was the state’s withdrawal from direct participation in liquor retail, allowing for an increase in liquor vendors to provide consumers with a wider selection of brands while focusing on a safer and more inclusive shopping environment.
The policy also suggested lowering the legal drinking age from 25 to 18, but this change did not come to fruition due to legislative hurdles.
