Arvind Kejriwal alleges misconduct by police officer, seeks removal amid liquor policy case tensions

In a dramatic escalation of the already tense legal proceedings surrounding the Delhi liquor policy case, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has lodged a formal complaint against a senior police officer for alleged misconduct. The accusation comes amidst a broader investigation involving high-profile figures from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including the former deputy chief minister, Manish Sisodia.

According to an application filed in Delhi‘s Rouse Avenue Court by Mr. Kejriwal, Assistant Commissioner of Police AK Singh displayed inappropriate behavior towards him during his transport to the court for a hearing. The details of the purported misconduct have not been disclosed, yet the claim adds to the growing concerns over the treatment of political figures by law enforcement in the course of this investigation.

This is not the first time ACP AK Singh has been at the center of controversy; he previously faced accusations of manhandling Mr. Sisodia on the court premises—a claim supported by video evidence and formal complaints, though the Delhi Police defended the actions as necessary for security reasons.

The backdrop of this unfolding drama is the high-stakes investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into alleged money laundering connected to the Delhi liquor policy. Mr. Kejriwal, recently arrested and the first sitting chief minister to be detained, finds himself accused of being a pivotal figure in a scheme purported to have generated substantial kickbacks for the AAP and its associates. The ED asserts that the policy facilitated illicit gains of around ₹600 crore, pointing to an elaborate profit-sharing arrangement that allegedly benefitted AAP leaders and associated groups.

As the case continues to unravel, the spotlight on the AAP’s legal challenges and the allegations of police misconduct underscore the intricate and often contentious interaction between politics, law enforcement, and the judiciary in India. With Mr. Kejriwal’s custody and the investigation’s focus on financial irregularities, the coming days promise further developments in a saga that has captivated the nation’s attention.