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In a significant turn of events, two prominent opposition leaders, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Trinamool Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra, are set to face questioning in separate cases in Delhi. Arvind Kejriwal will be summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to answer queries related to the liquor policy case, a matter connected to the imprisonment of former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia, and AAP MP Sanjay Singh.
On the other hand, Mahua Moitra is scheduled to appear before the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee to provide her statement concerning the ‘cash-for-questions’ allegations made against her by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai. Nishikant Dubey, in a tweet, accused both Kejriwal and Moitra of corruption, dubbing them as “2 numbaris,” a term indicating dishonesty.
2नों 2 नंबरी 2 नवंबर को हाज़िर हों
— Dr Nishikant Dubey (@nishikant_dubey) November 1, 2023
Arvind Kejriwal’s Involvement in the Delhi Liquor Policy Case
Previously, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had interrogated Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the liquor policy case in April. This time, the ED has called upon the Delhi Chief Minister for questioning regarding alleged money laundering linked to the same liquor policy. The recent rejection of Manish Sisodia’s bail plea by the Supreme Court, citing tentative evidence of the transfer of ₹338 crore, adds complexity to the case.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) expressed concerns that Kejriwal might face arrest as part of what they perceive as the BJP’s strategy to suppress opposition leaders. They also suggested that leaders like Hemant Soren, Tejashwi Yadav, Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee, Pinarayi Vijayan, MK Stalin, and opposition leaders from Maharashtra could face similar actions in the future.
Saurabh Bharadwaj of AAP stated that if Kejriwal were arrested, both the government and the party would actively support him. He emphasized Kejriwal’s determination to protect the welfare programs and initiatives the party has introduced, such as free education, electricity, water, pilgrimage, hospitals, and mohalla clinics.
Mahua Moitra’s ‘Cash-for-Question’ Case in Parliament
In the case involving Mahua Moitra, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai lodged complaints with the Lok Sabha, alleging that she accepted cash and expensive gifts from industrialist Jai Anant Dehadrai in exchange for access to her Parliament login. This access allowed the industrialist to post questions concerning Gautam Adani. Both complainants had previously given their statements to the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee.
Mahua Moitra acknowledged that she had shared her Parliament login with Darshan Hiranandani in 2019, enabling her office staff to assist in drafting the questions she approved. She refuted the cash allegations and stated that the login was not a secret, as numerous individuals within an MP’s team have access to it. She admitted to receiving gifts, such as scarves, lipstick, and makeup items, from Darshan, with whom she had a longstanding friendship.
Darshan acknowledged the allegations made by Dubey and Dehadrai and confessed to bribing Mahua Moitra in exchange for questions in Parliament. Mahua Moitra has requested an opportunity to cross-examine Darshan.
In a separate development, it was reported that there were approximately 47 log-ins to her parliamentary account from Dubai the day before her scheduled questioning.
