Kejriwal-Sisodia Plea in Liquor Scam Case Deferred

A petition related to the alleged liquor scam against former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was heard in the Delhi High Court on Tuesday. Both the leaders have appealed to cancel the case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). However, the court adjourned the hearing for three months after hearing the arguments of both the parties.

In the Delhi High Court, Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia sought cancellation of the ED case, arguing that the necessary approval to prosecute was not taken. Senior advocate Rebecca John, appearing for the Aam Aadmi Party, challenged the proceedings on the ground that there is a lack of approval. On the other hand, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for the ED, claimed that the approval was taken and it was submitted to the trial court. However, John denied this and said that this information is not available before this court.

John told that ED submitted a detailed reply without approval. He read out the ED's reply in the petition and said that ED had earlier made it clear that CBI's approval also includes ED's action. He also mentioned that after two years, new permission was placed on record on February 14, 2025, but this did not affect his basic ground. He also said that ED did not place the necessary order, which should have been done.

The court told that ED has obtained permission from the LG of Delhi, which will be presented in this court. ASG clarified that this is a principle hearing and there is no urgency in it, but it is only related to the supply of documents. After this, the court fixed the date of next hearing as November 12.

ED had presented the seventh chargesheet against Kejriwal in the trial court in July last year. The trial court had taken cognizance of the chargesheet on July 9 and said that there was sufficient evidence to prosecute Kejriwal.

Kejriwal had appealed to the Delhi High Court in November to quash the trial court's order taking cognizance of the seventh chargesheet of the ED. He argued that he was a public servant at the time of the allegations leveled by the ED.

He was performing the responsibility of the Chief Minister of Delhi. Although the ED did not have the necessary approval to run the case, the trial court still acted on the chargesheet.

After Kejriwal's petition was rejected by the High Court, he approached the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ruled in his favor and said that government permission is necessary for the hearing of any case.

The Supreme Court gave an important decision on November 6, saying that a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering (PMLA) against a public servant cannot be run without the permission of the government. This rule will also apply to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the state police. After this, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) sought the necessary permission from the Governor.