Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has requested Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena to allow Minister Atishi to hoist the national flag on his behalf at the Independence Day ceremony on August 15. Kejriwal himself is being held in Tihar Jail currently in connection with corruption and money laundering cases linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam.
This development came after the Delhi High Court recently rejected Kejriwal’s appeal against his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in relation to the Excise Policy case. The court ruled that his detention was justified. While discussions around Kejriwal’s bail are ongoing, the court has directed him to seek further relief from the trial court.
Why is Kejriwal in Jail?
On March 21, 2024, just a month before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Arvind Kejriwal was taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), on charges of corruption. The investigation centered on a 2021 policy by the Delhi government that transferred liquor sales from government-run outlets to private retailers. It was alleged that leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) showed bias towards certain retailers, accepted bribes and engaged in money laundering.
What was the New Delhi Excise Policy?
The New Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, launched in November 2021, sought to transform the liquor retail landscape in the capital. The policy’s goals were to increase state revenue, eliminate counterfeit alcohol, and improve the overall consumer experience. However, it faced intense opposition and accusations of procedural flaws, leading to its repeal on August 1, 2022.
