Delhi Chief Minister Under Scrutiny: ED’s Investigation
In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated questioning of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at his residence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. This comes after the Delhi High Court’s refusal to grant him protection from arrest in the liquor policy case.
Deployment and Confiscation: ED’s Actions
A team comprising 12 ED officials has arrived at the chief minister’s residence with a search warrant. They have confiscated the phones of Arvind Kejriwal and his family members. Meanwhile, Delhi Police, Rapid Action Force personnel, and CRPF teams are deployed outside.
ED Allegations and Key Events
The ED’s allegations paint a picture of collusion involving Kejriwal and AAP leaders Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj, alongside Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha, in orchestrating the now-defunct liquor policy. According to the ED, this scheme was devised to appease a southern Indian liquor lobby, dubbed the “South Lobby,” in exchange for a hefty sum of ₹100 crore destined for the AAP’s coffers.
Kejriwal’s purported involvement in the scandal stems from statements provided by both accused individuals and witnesses, as detailed in the ED’s remand notes and chargesheets. Vijay Nair, one of the accused, allegedly frequented Kejriwal’s office, boasting of his discussions regarding the policy with the chief minister himself.
Additionally, Raghav Magunta, initially an accused but now a witness, divulged that his father, a Member of Parliament from the YSR Congress Party, engaged with Kejriwal to explore the intricacies of the liquor policy.
Speculations and Summons: Kejriwal’s Response
Arvind Kejriwal, who has skipped nine summons by the ED in the alleged liquor policy scam, faces intensified scrutiny. His absence from the agency’s summons, including those related to a money-laundering case linked to the Delhi Jal Board, raises questions.
Recent Developments: Arrests and Allegations
The ED’s questioning of Kejriwal follows the arrest of BRS leader K Kavitha in the liquor policy case. This marks the first instance where Kejriwal has been named as a conspirator in the case. Earlier, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh were arrested in connection with the same case.
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