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When Delhi’s Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, is scheduled to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday, he is likely to face inquiries regarding funds received by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) during the recent Goa elections, according to officials familiar with the matter at the federal agency.
Kejriwal has been summoned to appear before the ED in connection with their money laundering investigation related to the now-defunct Delhi excise policy. In a parallel probe, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) questioned Kejriwal on April 16 concerning allegations of irregularities in the excise policy.
Both Kejriwal and the AAP have vehemently denied all allegations, with the AAP contending that these summonses are politically motivated and intended to destabilize the government, based on unfounded charges.
Officials mentioned that they anticipate Kejriwal’s appearance for questioning, but as of late Wednesday evening, there had been no communication from him. They also noted that a comprehensive questionnaire had been prepared for the questioning.
Senior AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are already in custody in connection with allegations related to the excise policy, and they too have denied any wrongdoing.
The ED has alleged in its charge sheet that a portion of the ₹100 crore kickback associated with the Delhi excise policy was utilized in the AAP’s campaign in Goa. These alleged kickbacks, received from the so-called South Group, were transferred to former AAP communications in-charge Vijay Nair with the assistance of two other accused, Abhishek Boinpally and Dinesh Arora. Arora, in turn, facilitated Rajesh Joshi of Chariot Productions Media Pvt Ltd in using these funds for AAP’s advertising and election efforts in Goa, according to one of the ED’s charge sheets.
The agency has informed the Supreme Court that it is considering adding the AAP as an accused in the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The Chief Minister may also be asked about reported statements made by his former secretary, C Arvind, who apparently disclosed that he was informed of the decision to allocate a 12% commission for wholesale private entities at Kejriwal’s residence in March 2021.
In one of the five charge sheets filed in the case, the ED described the excise policy as Kejriwal’s “brainchild.”
The excise policy, introduced for the 2021-22 fiscal year in November 2021, marked the government’s exit from retail alcohol sales and opened the door for private companies to bid for licenses. The Delhi government’s stated aim was to enhance the buying experience for citizens by encouraging market competition to elevate standards.
However, the policy was scrapped following a probe request by Delhi’s LG VK Saxena, who cited allegations of irregularities in a report by the chief secretary. The AAP and the elected government of the capital have vehemently rejected these charges.
