In relation to its investigation into alleged corruption linked to the now-defunct Delhi excise policy, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested businessman Dinesh Arora on Thursday night, according to official sources.
Interestingly, Arora, who is reportedly close to former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, has been identified as an approver in the same case currently under CBI investigation. Sisodia is also an accused in the excise policy case.
Arora’s arrest marks the 13th in this case by the ED, which has filed five charge sheets, including one against Sisodia.
Both the ED and CBI allege that the 2021-22 excise policy of the Delhi government, granting licences to liquor traders, facilitated cartelisation and favoured certain dealers who allegedly bribed officials. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi has categorically denied these allegations.
The policy was terminated after Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena recommended a CBI probe into the corruption allegations. Following this, the ED lodged a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
On Friday, the Enforcement Directorate announced the attachment of assets valued at over Rs 52 crore belonging to the arrested AAP leader Manish Sisodia, his wife, and other accused individuals in the money laundering case related to the Delhi excise policy. Under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, a provisional order has been issued to attach immovable properties worth Rs 7.29 crore, which include two assets of Manish Sisodia and his wife Seema Sisodia, as well as land and flats belonging to other accused parties.
The attachment also encompasses movable assets amounting to Rs 44.29 crore, including bank balances of Manish Sisodia and others. The total value of the attached assets is Rs 52.24 crore, the ED reported.
Sisodia, a former deputy chief minister of Delhi, was arrested by the ED in this case in March and is currently under judicial custody.
