Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal finds himself at the center of another political storm as Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has reportedly sanctioned the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to prosecute him in the alleged money laundering case linked to the controversial liquor policy scam. The sanction, sources reveal, was granted in line with legal requirements under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and follows the Supreme Court’s directive making such approval mandatory for prosecuting government officials.

The case, which has already seen multiple high-profile arrests and allegations, comes at a critical time for Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ahead of the Delhi elections. This follows the party’s setback in the Lok Sabha elections, making the upcoming state polls a significant political test for the former chief minister.

AAP Calls for Transparency

Reacting to the developments, the AAP has dismissed the reports as “false and misleading” while demanding that the ED make the sanction letter public. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi accused the BJP of engaging in political conspiracies to distract voters from pressing issues.

“If the Lt. Governor has indeed given approval to prosecute Arvind Kejriwal ji, why is the ED hesitating to make the approval letter public? This is yet another attempt to mislead and divert attention,” Atishi said in a statement shared on social media.

Former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also weighed in, describing the move as a diversionary tactic aimed at overshadowing controversies surrounding Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks on BR Ambedkar.

Opposition Welcomes Move

Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva, meanwhile, welcomed the decision, reiterating the party’s long-standing allegations against Kejriwal and the AAP. “We have consistently maintained that Kejriwal was involved in the liquor scam. As investigations progress, the truth will come out. This is a victory for accountability and justice,” Sachdeva said.

The Liquor Policy Case

The alleged scam revolves around the Excise Policy 2021-22, which the ED claims was manipulated to benefit a “South lobby” in exchange for bribes amounting to Rs. 100 crore. According to the ED, Rs. 45 crore of this sum was diverted for AAP’s election campaigns in Goa.

Kejriwal, who was arrested on March 21, 2024, under PMLA charges, spent six months in jail before being released in September. Following his release, he resigned as chief minister, pledging to return to office only if his party secures victory in the 2025 state elections.

The ED’s chargesheet, filed earlier this year, names Kejriwal and Sisodia as the masterminds of the alleged scam. Sisodia, who spent 18 months in custody, was granted bail in August 2024. The court cited his right to a speedy trial while approving his release.

Kejriwal’s Legal Challenge

In response to the ED’s chargesheet, Kejriwal has appealed to the Delhi High Court, seeking its dismissal. The court has since issued a notice to the ED, signaling that the legal battle is far from over.

As the political and legal drama unfolds, the liquor policy case remains one of the most contentious issues for the AAP, adding significant weight to the opposition’s allegations of corruption and mismanagement under Kejriwal’s leadership. With elections on the horizon, this case could have far-reaching implications for the party’s political fortunes.

Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa faces legal trouble as an arrest warrant has been issued against him for allegedly withholding provident fund contributions of employees at a clothing company he directs. Uthappa has until December 27 to clear the outstanding dues of Rs. 24 lakh to avoid arrest.

The warrant, issued by Regional PF Commissioner Sadakshari Gopal Reddy on December 4, pertains to Centaurus Lifestyle Brands Pvt Ltd, a Bengaluru-based firm where Uthappa serves as director. The company reportedly failed to remit damages amounting to Rs. 23,36,602 to the provident fund accounts of its employees.

According to the commissioner’s letter, Uthappa is accused of deducting provident funds from employees’ salaries but not depositing them into their accounts. “Due to non-remittances of dues, this office is unable to settle the Provident Fund Accounts of the poor workers,” the letter noted, instructing police to arrest Uthappa if the dues remain unpaid.

Robin Uthappa, 39, has had a notable cricketing career, representing India in 59 international matches. He has scored 1,183 runs, including seven half-centuries. Uthappa was also a prominent figure in the Indian Premier League, gaining widespread recognition for his performances.

The case raises serious concerns about employee welfare and corporate governance in Uthappa’s business ventures. Further updates are expected following the December 27 deadline.

In a dramatic turn of events following the tragic suicide of Bengaluru engineer Atul Subhash on December 9, his mother, Anju Modi, has filed a habeas corpus petition in the Supreme Court seeking the custody of her four-year-old grandson. The whereabouts of the child remain unknown, and Modi is seeking legal intervention after Subhash’s wife, Nikita Singhania, and her family failed to reveal the boy’s location.

Atul Subhash left behind video and written notes alleging harassment and false accusations from his wife and in-laws. These claims are central to the ongoing legal proceedings, with Modi contending that the Singhania family is obstructing the efforts to locate her grandson.

According to reports, Nikita Singhania told the police that her son was enrolled in a Faridabad boarding school and in the custody of her uncle, Sushil Singhania. However, Sushil has since denied any knowledge of the child’s whereabouts, further complicating the situation.

A bench of the Supreme Court, consisting of Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice N Kotiswar Singh, has issued notices to the governments of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Karnataka, demanding clarity regarding the child’s location. The next hearing of the case has been scheduled for January 7, 2025.

The case has garnered significant attention due to the multiple arrests made in connection with Subhash’s death. On December 16, Subhash’s wife, Nikita Singhania, her mother Nisha Singhania, and brother Anurag Singhania were arrested by the Karnataka Police. The authorities cited evidence from Subhash’s suicide note and video, accusing the Singhania family of abetting the suicide. They are currently in judicial custody.

Anju Modi’s petition claims that the Singhania family has actively hindered the search for the missing child. Subhash’s father, Pawan Kumar, has also publicly demanded custody of his grandson, joining Modi’s plea for the child’s immediate return.

In a counter-move, the Singhania family is defending itself. Nikita’s uncle, Sushil Singhania, sought anticipatory bail in the Allahabad High Court, with his counsel, senior advocate Manish Tiwary, arguing that Sushil, at the age of 69 with chronic health issues, could not be held accountable for the suicide. The court granted him pre-arrest bail with strict conditions, including the surrender of his passport and availability for police questioning.

Subhash’s family has strongly contested the actions of Nikita and her relatives, alleging they harassed him with false legal cases and extortion demands. The family has vowed not to perform the last rites for Subhash until justice is served. “We will not immerse my brother’s ashes until all false cases are dropped and justice is delivered,” said Bikas Kumar, Subhash’s brother.

As the legal battle intensifies, the family has expressed grave concerns about the safety of Subhash’s son. “We have not seen him in recent photos. We are deeply concerned about his safety. We want to know his whereabouts, and we demand his custody immediately,” said Bikas Kumar.

This complex case, involving family feuds, legal battles, and a missing child, continues to unfold, with both families bracing for the next phase of litigation.