Anna Hazare Reacts to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s Arrest in Liquor Policy Case
Renowned social activist Anna Hazare expressed disappointment over Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s recent arrest in the liquor policy case, suggesting it was a consequence of Kejriwal’s own actions. Despite their past collaboration, Hazare found it concerning that Kejriwal, who once opposed liquor, now oversees liquor policies.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). After the Chief Justice of India referred the case to a special bench, he withdrew his petition from the Supreme Court (SC) against the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrest on Friday, March 22.
The arrest comes after AAP Chief Kejriwal ignored multiple summons by ED. Officials from the agency questioned and subsequently arrested him at his residence. On the same day, the Delhi High Court denied the CM protection against “coercive action.” Earlier, AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Manish Sisodia were also arrested in this case.
Anna Hazare, known for leading the 2011 anti-corruption movement from which the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) emerged, expressed his concerns. Though he initially supported the party, he has since criticized it on various fronts.
What is the Delhi Liquor Policy Case?
On November 17, 2021, the Delhi Government implemented a new excise policy but discarded it at the end of September 2022 amid allegations of corruption. The policy was aimed at increasing government revenues and also ending the liquor mafia’s influence and black marketing. Under the new policy, open bidding was conducted for 849 liquor vends which were awarded to private companies. The city was divided into 32 zones, each allotted a maximum of 27 vends. There were no individual licences and the bidding was done zone-by-zone.
The probe agency CBI has claimed that the new policy gave undue advantages to private retailers and corruption in the matter goes to the “highest levels” in Kejriwal’s government.
However, the AAP government has denied the allegations and said that the new policy would have led to an increase in the city government’s revenue.
Three prominent AAP Ministers namely Delhi’s former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain, and Sanjay Singh were arrested in the case that is being investigated by ED.
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