The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a chargesheet against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in a case related to money laundering linked to the Delhi excise policy. This development marks a significant twist in the ongoing legal proceedings.
The federal agency had informed about this during a bail hearing for former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia on Tuesday. During a subsequent hearing in the Supreme Court on Thursday, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing the ED, informed the bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta that the agency intends to file a prosecution complaint (chargesheet) against Kejriwal and AAP.
"We will do it shortly. It is in the pipeline," Raju told the court. He claimed that the ED has substantial evidence suggesting that Kejriwal demanded a bribe of Rs 100 crore, which was allegedly used by AAP during the Goa assembly poll campaign. Raju also stated that Kejriwal played a pivotal role in formulating the now-defunct Delhi excise policy. Despite not holding any departmental portfolio, Kejriwal, as AAP's national convenor, was implicated in the alleged scam, Raju added.
The Delhi chief minister was arrested on March 21 in connection with the money laundering case. On May 10, the Supreme Court granted him interim bail until June 1, with orders to surrender on June 2. The court, however, prohibited him from visiting his office or the Delhi secretariat, and from signing official files unless it's necessary for obtaining the lieutenant governor's approval.
The ED's chargesheet alleges that Kejriwal stayed in a luxury hotel, with bills partly paid by an accused in the case, further implicating him. The ED contends that despite Kejriwal's position as chief minister without a departmental portfolio, he was involved in decisions related to the excise policy, which was subsequently scrapped. The case has drawn significant attention, as it involves accusations of corruption and misuse of funds during a state election campaign. Kejriwal's legal battle continues amidst ongoing scrutiny from both the judiciary and the public eye.
Swati Maliwal Case: FM Sitharaman Urges Kejriwal to Speak Out and Apologize
Swati Maliwal Appears in Court Following Assault Allegations
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Slams Over Kejriwal's Silence on Swati Maliwal Assault