Delhi Liquor Policy Scam: Arvind Kejriwal Denied Immediate Relief From Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to provide any relief to Arvind Kejriwal, who has challenged his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in the alleged liquor policy scam. The court has issued notice to the central probing agency and has directed it to file a reply to Kejriwal's plea by April 24.

The court will likely take up the case for hearing in the week commencing April 29.

Last week, the Delhi High Court declined to order the release of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in his alleged connection with the liquor policy scam, stating that it did not deem the arrest to be unlawful, or illegal.

The Enforcement Directorate detained Kejriwal on March 21 in connection with the case. Prior to his arrest, Kejriwal had declined the central probe agency's summons on multiple occasions.

The case pertains to accusations of corruption and money laundering during the formulation and implementation of the Delhi government's excise policy in 2021–2022, which was later scrapped.

The case led to the arrest of Manish Sisodia, the former deputy chief minister of Delhi, in February last year. AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh also faced arrest in October of that year.

Last week, BRS leader K. Kavitha was arrested in the case. Following Kavitha's arrest, the ED released a press note calling Kejriwal a conspirator in the alleged liquor policy scam.