The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is set to name the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as an accused in its chargesheet pertaining to a corruption case related to money laundering linked to the excise policy. Alongside the political party, Delhi's Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and BRS leader K Kavitha are also slated to be named in the agency's chargesheet. Kejriwal was apprehended from his official residence in the national capital on March 21 by the federal agency under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), while Kavitha, the MLC daughter of former Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao, was arrested in Hyderabad on March 15.
ED set to file seventh charge sheet
This will be the seventh charge sheet by the ED in this case in which it has arrested 18 people so far including Kejriwal's party colleague and former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and others. Singh was granted bail sometime back. The ED sources said the agency is expected to charge Kejriwal with "non-cooperation" in its investigation and being "vicariously" liable for the offence committed by the AAP, being the national convenor of the said party and because of his role and active involvement in the day-to-day affairs and the conduct of the business of AAP.
ED calls Kejriwal 'kingpin and key conspirator'
55-year-old Kejriwal has been called by the ED the "kingpin and key conspirator" of the Delhi excise "scam" orchestrated in collusion with ministers of the Delhi government, AAP leaders and other persons. The ED has also alleged that Rs 45 crore "kickbacks", out of the Rs 100 crore "bribe" provided by the 'South Group', were used by the AAP for the Goa assembly election campaign in 2022.
Delhi excise policy scam case
It is alleged that the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22 to grant licences to liquor traders allowed cartelisation and favoured certain dealers who had allegedly paid bribes for it, a charge repeatedly refuted by the AAP. The policy was subsequently scrapped and Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation probe, following which the ED registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
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