In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has implicated Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as a central figure, labeling him the ‘Kingpin’ in a high-profile liquor scam case. Alongside other ministers and leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Kejriwal is accused of receiving substantial kickbacks amounting to several crores of rupees. The ED made a fervent appeal to Special Judge Kaveri Baweja at the Rouse Avenue court for a 10-day custody of Kejriwal.
ED’s Charges Against Kejriwal
The ED presented a detailed list of accusations against Kejriwal, outlining his purported involvement in the scandal:
1. Kejriwal allegedly demanded a staggering sum of Rs 100 crore from certain individuals affiliated with the ‘South group’ to fund his electoral campaign for the Punjab elections.
2. It is claimed that Kejriwal played a pivotal role in crafting and executing the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, showing favoritism towards the South group.
3. The investigation unveiled a money trail indicating that Rs 45 crore, purportedly labeled as ‘kickback’, was funnelled into the Goa elections through four hawala routes.
4. The prosecution asserted that the statements provided by the accused and witnesses were substantiated by Call Detail Records (CDRs), bolstering the case against Kejriwal.
5. Moreover, the ED argued that the AAP should not be treated merely as an individual entity but rather as a collective responsible entity, implying that all individuals involved in the party’s affairs could be held accountable.
Key Players in the Alleged Scam
The ED highlighted the role of key individuals in facilitating the alleged corruption:
1. Manish Sisodia, Deputy CM of Delhi, allegedly furnished a revised draft of the liquor policy to Vijay Nair, who served as a crucial intermediary for Kejriwal. Notably, Nair resided in close proximity to Kejriwal’s residence, a property originally designated for Kailash Gahlot, the present transport minister.
2. Vijay Nair is purported to have acted as a liaison between the AAP and the South Group lobby, further implicating Kejriwal in the scandal.
3. It was revealed that Kejriwal maintained communication with Sharath Reddy, instructing him to place trust in Vijay Nair’s endeavors.
4. Additionally, the ED disclosed that AAP received a hefty sum of Rs 300 crore from K Kavitha, further entangling Kejriwal in the alleged misuse of proceeds of crime.
Legal Proceedings and Response
Kejriwal, accompanied by his legal counsel, appeared before the court amidst heightened security measures. The prosecution sought a 10-day remand for Kejriwal, a request that was formally presented to the court. Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi is representing Kejriwal in the proceedings. Despite withdrawing his plea against arrest by the ED in the Supreme Court, Kejriwal’s counsel affirmed his intention to contest the remand proceedings before the trial court, hinting at a potential return to the apex court with another petition.
The accusations against Arvind Kejriwal and other AAP members mark a significant development in the ongoing probe into the alleged liquor scam. As legal proceedings unfold, the case continues to draw attention, raising pertinent questions about accountability and transparency in governance.
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