The Enforcement Directorate (ED) informed the Supreme Court on Monday that it is mulling to make the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) an accused in the Delhi excise policy cases.
Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, representing both investigative agencies (CBI & ED), stated to a bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and S.V.N. Bhatti that they are considering involving the AAP as an accused, citing legal provisions related to “vicarious liability” and Section 70 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The bench, however, asked Raju to provide further clarification on Tuesday regarding whether there would be separate charges against the AAP in cases under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate.
Raju made this statement during a hearing on the bail applications of Manish Sisodia, an AAP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi. Sisodia had been arrested in connection with the excise policy cases that are being investigated by the CBI and ED.
The investigative agencies have previously suggested that the AAP may have benefited from kickbacks received by stakeholders who were granted liquor licences as part of a quid pro quo. They have alleged that the AAP used this money for campaigning during the Goa Assembly elections.