ED Detains Man Linked to AAP's Goa Poll Funds Over Excise Policy Case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has recently taken Chanpreet Singh into custody under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), marking the 17th arrest in a high-profile case linked to the Delhi excise policy. Singh, accused of managing cash funds for the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) campaign in the 2022 Goa Assembly elections, was arrested on April 12 and presented before a special court the following day. The court has ordered his ED custody until April 18.

Official sources reveal that Singh's arrest is part of an ongoing investigation into alleged financial irregularities surrounding the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22. The case has seen several high-profile arrests, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha, among others.

The ED alleges that the South Group, which includes figures such as TDP candidate Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy and his son Raghav Magunta, paid a substantial bribe to secure a favorable position in Delhi's liquor market under the now-defunct policy. According to the agency, Rs 100 crore was paid as a bribe, out of which Rs 45 crore was purportedly used to fund AAP's Goa election campaign.

Investigations have pointed towards Singh's significant role in managing these funds. The ED claims that Singh orchestrated cash payments to various individuals involved in AAP's Goa campaign. This includes payments to survey workers and managers through an Angadia firm employee, who allegedly facilitated illegal cash transfers.

Further scrutiny by the ED revealed that Singh received over Rs 17 crore from this employee between August 2021 and January 2022. His financial dealings also extend to receiving salaries from AAP and Wizspk Communications and PR Ltd, alongside funds from Only Much Louder events management company, indicating a close association with AAP.

In response to these allegations, AAP has criticized the ED's investigation as politically motivated, asserting that no evidence or illicit funds have been recovered from its leaders despite extensive searches. The party also highlighted a counter-allegation involving Sarath Reddy, a key figure in the case, accusing him of transferring proceeds of crime to the BJP through electoral bonds.

Amidst these developments, Arvind Kejriwal sought interim relief from the Supreme Court regarding his arrest in connection with the money laundering case. However, no relief was granted as the court has asked for a response from the ED by April 24.

The excise policy case revolves around alleged corruption in the formulation and implementation of Delhi's liquor policy for 2021-22. Following recommendations from Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, both the CBI and ED have initiated probes under their respective jurisdictions to uncover any malpractices within this policy framework.