Delhi LG calls for NIA probe into Arvind Kejriwal, AAP denies allegations
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New Delhi: Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has urged for a National Investigation Agency (NIA) investigation into allegations against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, suggesting he received political funding from the banned Sikhs For Justice group.
The group, founded by wanted terrorist Gurpatwant Pannun, allegedly provided substantial financial backing to Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
In response, AAP's senior leader Saurabh Bhardwaj swiftly dismissed the call for an NIA probe as a "conspiracy" against the party and its leader. Bhardwaj accused the LG of being an agent of the BJP, labeling the allegations as another attempt by the ruling party to discredit Kejriwal and AAP.
The allegations, which come just weeks before the general election in the national capital, mark the latest episode in the ongoing rivalry between AAP and the BJP.
In a letter to the Union Home Secretary, Saxena referenced a video purportedly showing Pannun claiming that AAP received a significant amount of funding from Khalistani groups. The LG's letter cited complaints from a Hindu religious body and tweets by a former AAP worker as evidence.
According to the LG's letter, Kejriwal allegedly promised to facilitate the release of Devender Pal Bhullar in exchange for financial support from Khalistani factions. Bhullar, convicted in the 1993 Delhi bomb blasts case, was initially sentenced to death, which was later commuted to life imprisonment.
Kejriwal is already facing corruption charges related to the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam, for which he has been in jail since March 21. He, along with AAP, has consistently denied these charges, attributing them to political vendetta by the BJP. Kejriwal has challenged his arrest in the Supreme Court, arguing that there is no evidence linking him to the alleged crime.
The top court is currently hearing Kejriwal's case and has indicated it will consider bail so he can participate in campaigning for the forthcoming Delhi election. This arrest follows similar actions against other AAP leaders, including former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh.