January 11, 2025: A leaked report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has unveiled significant revenue losses amounting to Rs 2,026 crore for the Delhi government, attributed to irregularities in the implementation of the now-defunct liquor policy. The report, accessed exclusively by India Today, highlights systemic lapses, deviations from policy frameworks, and alleged corruption benefiting political leaders.

The liquor policy, introduced in November 2021 by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government, aimed to reform the capital's liquor retail system and boost revenue. However, the CAG report reveals that the policy failed to achieve its objectives and was marred by alleged kickbacks, procedural violations, and oversight failures.

The report criticizes the Group of Ministers (GoM), chaired by then-Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, for ignoring the recommendations of an expert panel. It also alleges that licenses were issued without adequate scrutiny of bidders’ financial conditions, allowing entities reporting losses to participate and renew licenses. Complaints against some bidders were reportedly disregarded, and violators were not penalized.

Key policy decisions, according to the CAG, were made without necessary approvals from the Cabinet or the Lieutenant Governor, and the rules were not presented before the Delhi Assembly for ratification, violating standard procedures.

The controversial policy came under scrutiny in 2022, leading to investigations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into corruption and money laundering allegations. Top AAP leaders, including then-Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and Sanjay Singh, faced arrests before being granted bail last year.

The findings have reignited political tensions, with opposition parties demanding accountability and transparency. The CAG report, yet to be formally tabled in the Delhi Assembly, is expected to fuel further debates on governance and financial integrity.

While AAP leaders have denied the allegations, the revelations have sparked renewed scrutiny over the handling of public policies and funds in Delhi.