The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has named Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as accused number 37 and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as accused number 38 in its supplementary chargesheet for the Delhi Excise Policy Case.
As reported by India TV, the chargesheet identifies Kejriwal as the kingpin and main conspirator in money laundering activities related to the excise case. It alleges that Kejriwal was aware of and involved in using bribe money for the Goa elections, citing WhatsApp chats between him and accused Vinod Chauhan as evidence.
The chargesheet also claims that K Kavitha’s PA funneled over ₹25 crore to AAP through Vinod during the Goa elections. An India Today report mentions that AAP allegedly received ₹45 crore of the ₹100 crore kickback, which was routed for the Goa Assembly campaign through hawala channels. Vinod Chauhan, a close aide of Kejriwal, is said to have directly interacted with hawala traders and managed the transfer of ₹25 crore for the Goa polls.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court has approved Kejriwal’s request to appear virtually on July 12. AAP has accused the BJP-led Centre of orchestrating a “big conspiracy” against them, claiming that the ED is acting as a “political wing” of the BJP and that there is no money trail in the case.
The Delhi High Court has scheduled a hearing for the ED’s plea challenging Kejriwal’s bail for July 15. Previously, the high court stayed the trial court’s June 20 order granting bail to Kejriwal. Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21 and by the CBI on June 26. According to the CBI and ED, irregularities and undue favours were involved in modifying the excise policy and extending licences.
