Delhi HC Appoints Senior Counsel in Kejriwal Liquor 'Scam'
High Court intervention signals crucial phase for AAP leaders in ongoing corruption probe.
The Delhi High Court has moved to appoint senior advocates to assist in the ongoing investigations and trials concerning the alleged liquor policy scam, specifically naming Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and Sanjay Pathak. This judicial action underscores the legal and political gravity of a case that has deeply entangled Delhi's governance with national political narratives.
The 'scam' centers on allegations that the Kejriwal government’s 2021-22 excise policy was formulated to benefit private entities in return for kickbacks. The policy was subsequently withdrawn amidst investigations. Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi Chief Minister, faces charges from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court in May 2024 for election campaigning, with his bail extended through July 2024. Former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has been in custody since his arrest in February 2023 by both the CBI and ED. AAP MP Sanjay Singh, arrested by the ED in October 2023, was granted bail by the Supreme Court in January 2024. The High Court’s decision to appoint senior counsel at state expense, as reported in April 2024, indicates a desire for a rigorous and thorough examination of the complex charges and evidence.
The power dynamic in this ongoing saga is stark. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the center utilizes federal investigative agencies—the CBI and ED—to pursue corruption allegations, aiming to curb the AAP's influence and highlight accountability issues. For the AAP, these cases are framed as politically motivated persecution designed to hobble its leadership and electoral prospects. The High Court's intervention, while a judicial procedural step, indirectly acknowledges the case's complexity and the prominence of the accused, ensuring robust legal representation and scrutiny. This development places the judiciary at the forefront of navigating a politically charged investigation.
What to watch next includes the immediate engagement of the appointed senior advocates with the court proceedings and their impact on the pace and direction of the trials. Crucially, all eyes will be on the Supreme Court's decision regarding the extension of Arvind Kejriwal’s bail, especially as it approaches its July expiration. The broader judicial outcomes will significantly shape the AAP’s political positioning and its standing in the landscape of 
Global Politics moving forward.
