Breaking Update: Here’s a clear explanation of the latest developments related to Breaking News:CBI’s 974-page petition says trial court acquittal shocking, illegal; Delhi HC to hear on March 9– What Just Happened and why it matters right now.
The case arose in 2022 when the CBI registered a First Information Report (FIR) alleging that the Delhi Excise Policy of 2021-22 was manipulated to facilitate monopolisation and cartelisation of liquor trade in Delhi.
The CBI case was registered on a complaint made by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on July 20, 2022.
The probe agency said that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its leaders received kickbacks from liquor manufacturers due to manipulation of the policy. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) also later registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in the matter.
What followed was a series of arrests of opposition leaders, criticised by some quarters as being politically motivated.
It was alleged that a criminal conspiracy was hatched by AAP leaders, including Sisodia and Kejriwal and other unidentified and unnamed private persons/entities at the stage of the policy’s formulation.
The conspiracy, it was alleged, involved loopholes “intentionally” left or created in the policy. These loopholes were allegedly meant to favour some liquor licensees and conspirators post the tender process, it was claimed.
Based on its claims, the CBI chargesheeted 23 accused.
The political leaders spent a considerable time in jail as the Rouse Avenue Court and the Delhi High Court denied them bail. It was the Supreme Court which later granted them relief.