The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has directly mentioned the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a money laundering related to the Delhi Liquor Policy Case. According to the chargesheet, Kejriwal was directly involved in his party receiving Rs 100 crore in kickbacks.
According to the reports by India Today TV, ED claims highlight Kejriwal’s involvement in the liquor policy scandal. The ED alleges that Kejriwal was involved with members of the ‘South Group’ and individuals like Vijay Nair to secure kickbacks. These kickbacks were allegedly exchanged for providing undue benefits to private entities through a customised liquor policy. Nair is said to have acted on behalf of senior AAP leaders, including Kejriwal. The chargesheet states, “In this manner, Arvind Kejriwal is directly, knowingly and actually involved in the generation, acquisition and possession of the proceeds of crime of Rs 100 crore.”
Allegations of Money Laundering in Delhi Liquor Policy Case
The ED also claims that Rs 45 crore of this amount was used by AAP for its campaign in the Goa elections, with Kejriwal’s knowledge and involvement. The chargesheet states, “Arvind Kejriwal has concealed these proceeds of crime by way of using cash transfers/Hawala transfers from the point of generation till the use.”
The ED emphasises that Kejriwal is knowingly involved in various activities related to money laundering, including generation, acquisition, possession, concealment, transfer, and use of the illegal funds. The chargesheet reads, “Hence, the accused Arvind Kejriwal is actually and knowingly involved in the different processes and activities connected with the offence of money laundering, i.e. generation, acquisition, possession, concealment, transfer, use and claiming it to be untainted as defined u/s 3 of PMLA, 2002.”
The chargesheet also details how approximately Rs 25 crore of the kickbacks were transferred to Goa through hawala channels, handled by Chanpreet Singh, an employee of Chariot Productions. Singh, who worked on AAP’s Goa campaign as a freelancer, was paid Rs 1 lakh by the party for his services.
The ED has cited communications between Kejriwal and C Arvind, former secretary to AAP leader Manish Sisodia, to show how the Chief Minister allegedly attempted to mislead the investigation. The agency claims that evidence was destroyed during the investigation.
Furthermore, the chargesheet mentions that Vinod Chauhan, a close one of Kejriwal, interacted directly with hawala traders. Chauhan allegedly transferred Rs 25 crore for the Goa elections through the hawala route. He was arrested by the ED in May.
Chats accessed by India Today TV revealed Chauhan’s involvement in Delhi Jal Board postings and arranging meetings with the Chief Minister.
The ED’s investigation continues as more details of the alleged financial misconduct are seen.
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