LI Network
Published on: March 22, 2024 at 16:53 IST
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested amidst explosive allegations of being the “kingpin” and “key conspirator” in an alleged liquor policy scam in the national capital. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) presented its case before the Rouse Avenue Court, asserting that Kejriwal played a central role in the scheme, serving as a middleman between various parties involved.
The agency claims that the total proceeds of the purported scam exceed ₹600 crore, with a significant portion allegedly funneled through a ‘south group,’ including prominent figures like Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader K Kavitha. Kejriwal, who is the first sitting Chief Minister to face such charges, vehemently denies all allegations.
According to ED’s arguments, Kejriwal demanded kickbacks in exchange for favors related to the implementation of the policy, with a portion of these funds purportedly being used to finance the Aam Aadmi Party’s electoral campaigns in Goa and Punjab in 2022. The agency alleges that ₹45 crore of these kickbacks were utilized for this purpose.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, contested the necessity of the Chief Minister’s arrest, arguing that the ED’s claims about tracing the money trail should not serve as grounds for detention. Singhvi criticized the agency’s approach, highlighting inconsistencies in witness statements and questioning the basis for Kejriwal’s arrest.
In a strategic move, Kejriwal’s legal team withdrew a plea from the Supreme Court challenging his arrest, anticipating a similar response to the rejected petition of BRS leader K Kavitha. Despite the legal turmoil, sources within Kejriwal’s camp assert that there’s no legal impediment to his continuance as Chief Minister, emphasizing that he remains an accused and not a convict.
The arrest of Kejriwal, a three-time Chief Minister known for his anti-corruption stance, has sparked widespread protests across the nation. As the case unfolds, the political landscape in Delhi is set for further upheaval, with questions looming over the future leadership of the capital city. Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.