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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has made a significant arrest in connection with the Delhi liquor policy-linked money laundering case. Chanpreet Singh, accused of managing cash funds for the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) campaign in the 2022 Goa Assembly elections, has been detained by the ED. This arrest marks the 17th in the ongoing investigation by the agency.
AAP’s Response: The AAP has vehemently criticized the ED’s probe, labeling it as “politically motivated.” The party maintains that despite extensive investigations and numerous raids, the ED has failed to recover any illicit funds or unearth concrete evidence against its leaders.
According to the ED, Chanpreet Singh played a key role in managing cash payments for the AAP’s election campaign in Goa. The agency alleges that Singh had a close “relationship” with the party and was involved in handling funds amounting to Rs 45 crore, purportedly received as kickbacks from the ‘South Group.’
Key Players: The ‘South Group,’ which includes several individuals and businessmen, allegedly paid a bribe of Rs 100 crore to the AAP to gain a favorable position in the now-defunct Delhi liquor market as part of the 2021-22 liquor policy.
The ED claims that Singh facilitated cash payments to various individuals involved in the AAP’s election campaign activities in Goa. These payments were reportedly made to survey workers, area managers, and assembly managers engaged in campaign activities.
Financial Transactions: Singh is alleged to have received significant sums of money from an ‘Angadia’ firm employee, who admitted to disbursing large amounts of cash in Goa. The ED contends that Singh collected over Rs 17 crore in multiple instances between August 2021 and January 2022. This money was purportedly used to fund the AAP’s Goa election campaign.
Party’s Allegations: The AAP has accused the ED of conducting a politically motivated investigation. The party claims that the real “Delhi liquor scam” unfolded after the ED initiated its probe and arrested key figures involved in the alleged corruption.
Legal Proceedings: In a related development, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s plea for interim relief in the money laundering case was not granted by the Supreme Court. The court has sought a response from the ED by April 24 on Kejriwal’s challenge to his arrest in the case.
The case revolves around alleged corruption and money laundering related to the formulation and execution of Delhi’s liquor policy for 2021-22, which was later scrapped. The initial probe was recommended by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, leading to a CBI investigation and subsequent involvement of the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
