Delhi Excise Policy Case: In connection with the purported Delhi Liquor Policy scam, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is conducting searches in multiple locations across a number of states, including Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana, news agency ANI reported.


Raids are being carried out by the central agency in as many as six states, including Mumbai in Maharashtra, Bangalore in Karnataka, and Hyderabad in Telangana.






Earlier in August, the CBI had filed a FIR against the leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and 15 other individuals and businesses as part of an inquiry into suspected irregularities in the execution of the Delhi excise policy.


The FIR was lodged by the CBI under Indian Penal Code Sections 120-B (Criminal Conspiracy) and 477-A (Falsification of Accounts).



"Manish Sisodia, Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Arva Gopi Krishna, the then Commissioner (Excise), Anand Tiwari, the then Deputy Commissioner (Excise), and Pankaj Bhatnagar, Assistant Commissioner (Excise) were instrumental in recommending and taking decisions pertaining to excise policy for the year 2021-22 without approval of competent authority with an intention to extend undue favours to the licencees post tender," the FIR was quoted by IANS in its report.


The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had earlier on August 19 searched Manish Sisodia's home and conducted raids at various locations in relation to the suspected corruption in the execution of Delhi's excise policy, ANI reported.


Specifically, days after Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena approved the suspension and launch of disciplinary proceedings for "serious lapses" against 11 officers in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy 2021–22, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) suspended the then Excise Commissioner Arava Gopi Krishna and Deputy Commissioner Anand Tiwari.


(With Inputs From Agencies)