The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has named Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the Delhi liquor scam, marking the first time his name has been mentioned in an official statement regarding the investigation.
In a press statement released on Monday, the ED referred to BRS leader K Kavitha, who was arrested last week in connection with the scam, stating, “Kavitha along with others conspired with the top leaders of AAP, including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, for getting favours in the Delhi excise policy-formulation and implementation.”
ED @dir_ed formally names @ArvindKejriwal in Delhi Booze Scam.
“ED investigation has revealed that Ms K Kavitha (BRS)…conspired with top leaders of #AAP including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia for getting favours… (and in return) paying ₹100 crore to the leaders of AAP.” pic.twitter.com/ijGB42yrbl— Kanchan Gupta 🇮🇳 (@KanchanGupta) March 18, 2024
The statement further alleges that in exchange for these favours, Kavitha was involved in paying ₹100 crore to the AAP leaders.
K Kavitha has been remanded to judicial custody until March 23.
The ED disclosed that it has conducted searches at 245 locations across the country since the case was registered in 2022. Additionally, the agency has arrested 15 individuals, including former Delhi deputy CM and AAP leader Manish Sisodia, AAP leader Sanjay Singh, and several liquor businessmen.
Furthermore, the ED has filed a total of six charge sheets in the case and has attached assets worth over Rs128 crore.
The revelation of Kejriwal’s name in the official statement marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the Delhi liquor scam. The ED’s statement implicates high-profile figures from the AAP in alleged wrongdoing related to the excise policy, shedding light on the intricate network of corruption and malpractice within the Delhi government.
The AAP has yet to respond to the specific allegations made against Kejriwal and other party leaders. As the investigation continues to unfold, it is expected to draw further attention to the intricacies of the scam and the involvement of key political figures.
