The Enforcement Directorate (ED) for the first time named Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as one of the accused in the Delhi excise policy case. The ED spokesperson asserted that Kejriwal, along with other top leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including Manish Sisodia, conspired with individuals like Ms. K Kavitha to manipulate the formulation and implementation of the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22.
According to the ED, Kavitha and her associates purportedly orchestrated a scheme to secure favorable treatment under the excise policy in exchange for kickbacks amounting to a staggering Rs 100 crore paid to AAP leaders. This revelation marks a significant escalation in the case, as Kejriwal's name had not been directly implicated in the allegations until now.
The ED's claims come amid an investigation that has seen searches conducted at 245 locations across the country, including major cities like Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Mumbai. So far, 15 individuals, including prominent AAP figures such as Sisodia, Vijay Nair, and Sanjay Singh, have been arrested in connection with the case.
Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) dropped a bombshell during proceedings in a Delhi court, hinting at the possibility of arresting "some high-profile persons" in connection with the case. This revelation added a layer of intrigue to an already complex and contentious legal battle.
However, the AAP responded to the ED's allegations, dismissing them as "blatantly false and frivolous." In a statement, the party accused the ED of working as a political wing of the BJP and attempting to tarnish the image of Kejriwal and Sisodia.
The AAP further emphasized that the ED's claims lacked any new evidence and underscored the agency's frustration in failing to produce tangible results despite extensive raids and interrogations.
Meanwhile, the legal battle surrounding the case continues, with Sisodia's bail plea facing opposition from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in court. Sisodia, who was initially arrested by the CBI last year before facing charges from the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), has argued for bail citing no financial loss to the exchequer due to the scrapped excise policy.
Sisodia's defence counsel highlighted delays in the trial as a key reason for seeking bail, pointing out that the ED had previously indicated the trial would conclude within 6-8 months.
During the court proceedings, senior advocate Mohit Mathur, representing Sisodia, argued that no significant progress had been made in the trial since his client's arrest. Mathur emphasized that Sisodia posed no flight risk and that there was no chance of tampering with evidence.
However, the Additional Public Prosecutor for the CBI, Pankaj Gupta, refuted claims of delay from their end, stating that trial proceedings would commence once arguments on the charges were initiated.