ED names Arvind Kejriwal, AAP as accused in Delhi excise policy case
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal is named in a fresh ED chargesheet for money laundering linked to the scrapped 2021-22 excise policy, with AAP also implicated.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday issued a fresh supplementary chargesheet, marking a significant development by naming Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as an accused for the first time in the ongoing money laundering investigation linked to the now-scrapped Delhi liquor excise policy for the fiscal year 2021-22.
This chargesheet also implicates the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) itself as an accused entity in the case. The central probe agency has presented what it claims to be direct evidence indicating Kejriwal's involvement. According to additional Solicitor General S V Raju, who addressed the Supreme Court, Kejriwal stayed in a seven-star hotel, with a portion of the expenses allegedly covered by an accused individual in the case. Raju emphasized that Kejriwal played a significant role in the formulation of the controversial excise policy.
The ED's findings suggest that there are incriminating communications between Kejriwal and hawala operators concerning the purported proceeds from the excise policy. These chats were reportedly retrieved from the devices of the hawala operators, especially after Kejriwal declined to disclose the passwords to his own devices.
In a related legal development, the Supreme Court has reserved its judgment on Kejriwal's petition that challenges the legality of his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate. The court has allowed Kejriwal the option to approach the trial court for bail, which does not affect his rights or the arguments he has presented before the Supreme Court.
Kejriwal was taken into custody by the ED on March 21 after he failed to comply with nine separate summonses from the agency. However, last Friday, he received interim bail from the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, other prominent members of his party have also faced legal troubles: Sanjay Singh was granted bail last month, whereas Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain remain in jail.
The ED's investigation into alleged financial irregularities related to the Delhi excise policy began on August 22, 2022. This investigation followed a First Information Report (FIR) lodged by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on August 17, 2022. The policy, which has since been discontinued, had raised significant controversy and scrutiny, leading to these extensive legal proceedings.
We hate spam as much as you do
© Hindeez 2024, All Rights Reserved
