The Enforcement Directorate, currently investigating a money laundering case connected to the excise policy scam, has disclosed to the Delhi High Court its intention to designate the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as an accused in the ongoing proceedings.
According to the agency, a supplementary chargesheet is forthcoming in the case, and the AAP will be formally included as an accused party. This revelation surfaced during the ED’s opposition to a bail plea filed by senior AAP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia.
In their argument before the court, the ED’s counsel asserted, “AAP is going to be made a co-accused in the next prosecution complaint (charge sheet) to be filed in the case.” The counsel further highlighted the concerted efforts by the accused individuals to obstruct the framing of charges in the case.
In response, Sisodia’s legal representative countered by pointing out that both the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) continue to make arrests in connection with the money laundering and corruption allegations, indicating a prolonged trial process.
In October of the previous year, the Supreme Court had raised questions about why the AAP had not been included in the chargesheet, despite the ED’s claims that it had benefited from alleged kickbacks in the excise policy case. However, the apex court later clarified that its inquiry was not aimed at implicating any political party but was solely a legal query.
