The Union Home Ministry has approved the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to prosecute Arvind Kejriwal, the former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor, in connection with the excise policy-related money laundering case. Officials confirmed the sanction, which paves the way for legal action against Kejriwal under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

In March, the ED filed a chargesheet against Kejriwal, describing him as a key conspirator in the alleged Delhi excise scam. The agency had arrested him earlier, and his involvement has been highlighted both in his personal capacity and as the leader of AAP.

The ED’s investigation claims that Kejriwal collaborated with Delhi government ministers and other AAP leaders in the formulation and execution of the controversial excise policy for 2021-22, which was later revoked. The policy allegedly facilitated corruption and money laundering, leading to the investigation.

The Ministry of Home Affairs recently granted the ED the necessary permission to prosecute Kejriwal, despite AAP’s classification as a political body under Indian law. The ED argued that Kejriwal, as the head of AAP during the period in question, is legally accountable for the alleged offences under the anti-money laundering law.

The case stems from allegations of corruption in the Delhi excise policy, which prompted Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena to recommend a CBI probe. Following the CBI's investigation, the ED filed its own case in August 2022, based on a FIR lodged by the CBI, and has been pursuing the alleged irregularities since. This development comes ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections scheduled for February 5, 2025.

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