CBI Finishes Delhi Excise Policy Scam Probe, Chargesheets Kejriwal and Others

The CBI has filed its final charge sheet in the Delhi excise policy scam case against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and five others. The agency claims kickbacks were paid to tweak the 2021-22 Excise Policy, resulting in undue gains for involved parties and substantial losses to the exchequer.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has concluded its probe into the alleged Delhi excise policy scam, filing its final charge sheet against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and five others, including AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak. This follows a series of earlier charge sheets implicating former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and Telangana MLC K Kavitha among others.

According to the CBI, businessman Magunta Sreenivasalu Reddy sought Kejriwal's support for his liquor business during a meeting on March 16, 2021. The charge sheet alleges Kejriwal directed Reddy to collaborate with K Kavitha, who was working on the Excise Policy, and requested campaign funds for the Aam Aadmi Party.

The CBI states that kickbacks worth Rs 90-100 crore were funneled to politicians and public servants to manipulate the policy, ultimately forming a cartel of liquor manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. This conspiracy resulted in significant financial gains for the parties involved and considerable losses to the public treasury.