ED questions Delhi minister Kailash Gahlot in liquor policy case

Kailash Gahlot, a minister in the Delhi government and a leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has been summoned for questioning by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an alleged money laundering case related to the Delhi liquor policy. Gahlot, who holds the portfolios for home, transport, and law, has reported to the ED’s office as the probe into the controversial policy intensifies.

This development follows closely on the heels of the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, marking a significant escalation in the investigation. ED sources indicate that Gahlot has been called in to record his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), focusing on alleged corruption and money laundering activities associated with the formulation and execution of the Delhi government’s excise policy for the fiscal year 2021-22.

The policy in question, which was later rescinded, has been criticized for allegedly providing exorbitant profit margins of nearly 185% for retailers and 12% for wholesalers. According to the ED, a substantial portion of these profits, amounting to over ₹600 crore, was siphoned off as bribes and purportedly used to finance AAP’s electoral campaigns in Goa and Punjab.

The case has seen the arrests of three prominent AAP leaders, including Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, AAP MP Sanjay Singh, and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. K Kavitha, a leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and daughter of Telangana’s former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, has also been incarcerated as part of the investigation.

The ongoing investigation into the Delhi liquor policy by the Enforcement Directorate marks a critical juncture in Indian politics, highlighting the intersection of policy-making, alleged financial impropriety, and electoral funding. The arrests of several high-profile political figures underscore the seriousness with which the ED is pursuing allegations of money laundering and corruption. This case could have far-reaching implications for political accountability and governance in India, as it brings to the forefront the need for transparency and integrity in public policy formulation and implementation.