Delhi Excise Policy: CBI Launches Money Laundering Investigation Following Lieutenant Governor’s Recommendation
The ongoing investigation into the alleged irregularities in the implementation of Delhi’s excise policy has now expanded into a money laundering case, following a recommendation from Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor (LG), V. K. Saxena. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed the case after Saxena suggested an inquiry into the matter, which had already attracted significant public attention.
The alleged discrepancies in the excise policy primarily concern the granting of liquor licenses, the process of issuing permits, and possible financial irregularities tied to excise revenue collection. The matter came to light when Saxena recommended a probe into the misuse of powers by officials involved in the formulation and execution of the policy, which, according to the LG, resulted in large-scale corruption and loss of revenue.
In response to the LG’s recommendation, the CBI initiated a money laundering investigation, which focuses on tracing any illicit financial transactions and proceeds tied to the alleged misconduct. This move expands the scope of the original inquiry, now also implicating aspects of money laundering and financial mismanagement.
The Delhi Excise Policy, which was implemented by the Delhi government in 2021, has been under scrutiny due to allegations that it favored certain liquor traders in exchange for kickbacks and bribes. These actions reportedly enabled private liquor traders to benefit at the expense of the Delhi government’s revenue.
The money laundering case is expected to be closely monitored as it could lead to further legal and political ramifications. Additionally, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) may also be involved in investigating any financial transactions that could indicate illegal enrichment or kickbacks.
Authorities have already questioned several prominent figures linked to the Delhi government’s excise department as part of this investigation. The case is expected to grow as more details emerge, with political figures and business leaders potentially being drawn into the inquiry.
