The Delhi liquor scam has taken a dramatic turn amidst the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has named the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in its supplementary chargesheet, a first in India's history. Top AAP leaders, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, have been implicated, leading to a political storm.
So far, the ED has filed seven chargesheets in the case, making this the eighth one. For the first time, Arvind Kejriwal has been directly accused. The ED has already arrested 18 people, and Kejriwal was arrested on March 21. He was released on interim bail after 50 days in Tihar Jail.
The ED alleges that Kejriwal played a key role in designing the new liquor policy in Delhi and claims that ₹100 crores in bribes were used for the AAP's 2022 Goa Assembly election campaign. The ED's chargesheet includes evidence of Kejriwal's stay in a 7-star hotel during the campaign, funded by the scam money.
The Supreme Court is currently reviewing Kejriwal's petition challenging his arrest and judicial custody. The court has reserved its judgment and suggested Kejriwal approach the trial court for regular bail. Meanwhile, the ED might soon attach some AAP assets.
