Amidst brewing troubles in the Delhi liquor scandal, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) sent a summons to Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot on Saturday. Gahlot, reportedly, arrived at the ED's office for questioning today.
Previously, several AAP leaders, including Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, have been arrested by investigating agencies in this ongoing case.
According to the ED, Gahlot was a part of the group that drafted the controversial liquor policy, which allegedly leaked to a South-based liquor cartel.
'Government Residence Allotted to Liquor Tycoon'
Gahlot is also accused of allocating his official government residence to liquor businessman Vijay Nair. The ED had earlier alleged that during this time, Gahlot had changed his mobile number several times.
Kailash Gahlot: The Transport Minister of Delhi
A key figure in Delhi's AAP government, Kailash Gahlot is known for his close association with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Chief Minister Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21 in a money laundering case tied to the Delhi excise policy, and he remains in custody till April 1.
Understanding the Liquor Scandal
The Kejriwal administration launched the Excise Policy 2021-22 on November 17, 2021. Under the new policy, the government stepped back from the liquor business, leaving shops entirely in private hands.
The Delhi government claimed that the new policy would end the mafia rule and increase government revenue. Yet, the policy stirred controversy since its inception and was eventually scrapped on July 28, 2022, due to growing unrest. The alleged liquor scam unfolded with a July 8, 2022 report by then-Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar.
This report cast severe allegations against several prominent AAP leaders, including Manish Sisodia. Following a recommendation from Delhi's LG VK Saxena for a CBI investigation, a case was registered by the CBI on August 17, 2022. The investigation brought forth accusations of financial misconduct, prompting the ED to file a money laundering case.
