Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is facing prosecution in the Delhi excise policy scam, on Thursday moved a city court seeking a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the renewal of his passport.
Kejriwal’s counsel informed the court that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor’s passport had expired in 2018 and he now intends to renew it for a period of 10 years.
Taking note of the request, Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh issued notices to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), asking them to file their responses by June 4, the next date of hearing.
CBI Signals Readiness for Charge Framing
During the hearing, the CBI submitted before the court that it is ready to argue on the framing of charges in the corruption case arising from the controversial Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22.
The case, which has drawn national attention, involves two parallel investigations—while the CBI is probing the alleged corruption in policy formulation and implementation, the ED is pursuing the money laundering aspect under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Background of the Case
The matter stems from a complaint filed after Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena recommended a probe into alleged procedural and financial irregularities in the now-scrapped excise policy.
Investigators allege that the Delhi government extended undue favours to select liquor licensees by modifying the excise policy in ways that benefitted private entities. The revamped policy, launched in November 2021, was withdrawn less than a year later in September 2022, after a political uproar and multiple corruption allegations.
Kejriwal has consistently denied the charges, alleging political vendetta behind the investigative actions. The case continues to be a high-stakes legal battle with implications for both Delhi politics and the AAP leadership.
