ED Files Charge Sheet Against Kejriwal, Accuses Him of Benefiting from Liquor Scam
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a charge sheet against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, alleging his direct involvement in benefiting from the ₹100 crore proceeds of the Delhi liquor scam. The central investigative agency claimed that the Group of Ministers (GoM) constituted by the Delhi government for the excise policy was merely a façade.
Allegations of Misappropriation and Money Laundering
The charge sheet, which the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) special court took cognizance of on May 17, names Kejriwal and his party, AAP, as accused. According to the 209-page document, Kejriwal stayed at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Goa, with the bills paid by accused Chanpreet Singh, thereby directly benefiting from the crime proceeds. The ED also claimed that Kejriwal and his associates funneled part of these funds into Delhi government resources.
Allegations of Bribery from South Group
The ED further alleged that the South Group, comprising politicians and liquor business owners, paid a ₹100 crore bribe to manipulate the 2021-22 Delhi excise policy in their favor. Out of this, ₹45 crore was reportedly diverted to fund AAP’s election campaign in the 2022 Goa Assembly elections without proper accounting or informing the Election Commission. This indicates Kejriwal’s involvement at every level of the ₹100 crore proceeds from the crime.
Legal Proceedings and Defense
The ED has invoked Section 4 of the PMLA, arguing that Kejriwal should be punished for his involvement in money laundering. The agency insists that he played both direct and indirect roles, managing AAP’s affairs, considered a company under Section 70 of the PMLA. Despite being interrogated 11 times, Kejriwal allegedly withheld crucial information.
In response to the ED’s petition to revoke his bail, Kejriwal filed a reply in the High Court on Wednesday, claiming that he was a victim of the ED’s surveillance and that canceling his bail would be a miscarriage of justice. He argued that the ED’s accusations and attempts to influence co-accused for favorable statements reflect the agency’s malice. Kejriwal maintained that the ED’s challenge to his bail order by the special judge (PC Act) showed disrespect towards the court’s authority.
Political Repercussions and Public Statement
Kejriwal accused the ED of acting with ill intent and stated that the agency’s actions were part of a political vendetta aimed at harassing and humiliating him. He asserted that there was no evidence or material to prove that AAP received any bribe or used such funds in the Goa election campaign. He emphasized that his arrest was politically motivated and lacked substantial investigative backing during custody.
The Delhi High Court, which stayed the lower court’s bail order on June 25, will hear Kejriwal’s arguments against the ED’s claims. The Delhi CM’s response highlights the absence of relevant evidence and criticizes the ED’s approach as disrespectful to judicial discretion.
For more updates, stay tuned to Sarhind Times.
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