NEW DELHI: The CBI and ED informed the Supreme Court on Monday that they are exploring the possibility of implicating the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the Delhi excise policy cases.
Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, representing both investigative agencies, told a bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti that they are contemplating involving the AAP as an accused, utilizing legal provisions related to "vicarious liability" and Section 70 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
However, the bench requested Raju to clarify their position on Tuesday concerning whether separate charges would be filed against the AAP in cases under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate.
This statement came during a hearing on the bail applications of AAP leader and former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, who had been arrested in connection with the excise policy cases under investigation by the CBI and ED.
The investigative agencies have previously insinuated that the AAP benefited from kickbacks obtained from individuals who secured liquor licenses in a quid pro quo arrangement. They allege that the AAP used these funds for campaigning in the Goa assembly elections.
(With agency inputs)
