ED To Name Arvind Kejriwal As Accused In Liquor Policy Case, First Charge Sheet Against Delhi CM To Coincide With SC Hearing: Report

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is planning to name Arvind Kejriwal as accused in the liquor policy scam in its first charge sheet against the Delhi Chief Minister.

The charge sheet is expected to be filed on Friday (10 May), coinciding with the Supreme Court hearing on Kejriwal's interim bail plea that cites Lok Sabha elections.

India Today reported that the ED will call Kejriwal a 'kingpin' of the now-scrapped liquor policy and a key conspirator in obtaining the kickbacks for Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) electoral campaign for Goa Assembly elections.

The ED claims to have established the money trail on the basis of statements of approvers and an AAP candidate of Goa who said that he was given money.

In the Tuesday hearing in the Supreme Court, the bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta considered "cascading effects" of releasing Kejriwal on bail.

Justice Khanna made it clear that Kejriwal will not be allowed to perform official duties while out on bail as the court does not want any interference in the functioning of the Delhi government.

The bench rose without passing an order. On Wednesday, Justice Khanna said, "We will pronounce the interim order (on interim bail) on Friday."

The main matter related to the challenge to arrest will also be taken on the same day as the court asked Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing ED, to be ready with his submissions.