MHA approves ED's request to prosecute Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia in excise scam

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has granted approval for the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to prosecute former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and ex-deputy CM Manish Sisodia in the excise policy-linked money laundering case.

The ED, which arrested Kejriwal in March 2024, filed a chargesheet against him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in a special court. The approval comes just ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly session on February 5.

Kejriwal, labeled by the ED as the "kingpin and key conspirator" in the alleged scam, faces charges personally and as AAP’s national convenor. The ED claims Kejriwal colluded with ministers and AAP leaders in the formulation and execution of the controversial 2021-22 excise policy, later scrapped by the Delhi government.

The ED argues that AAP, classified as an association under the Representation of the People Act, qualifies as a "company" under PMLA provisions, making Kejriwal accountable for any alleged crimes. The case stems from a corruption investigation sparked by Delhi Lt. Governor VK Saxena’s recommendation for a CBI inquiry.