CBI Alleges Kejriwal's Role in Excise Policy 'Criminal Conspiracy'

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was involved in the criminal conspiracy related to the Delhi Excise Policy from its inception, according to the CBI's latest supplementary charge sheet. The AAP, however, has claimed that no corruption has been traced by the agency so far.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) concluded its probe with the submission of its fifth and final charge sheet. It alleged that Kejriwal had a pre-conceived plan to privatise the excise policy, which was later scrapped due to corruption allegations.

Allegations Against Kejriwal

The CBI claimed that in March 2021, during the policy's formulation by a GoM led by co-accused Manish Sisodia, Kejriwal demanded financial support for his party. Vijay Nair, a close associate and AAP's media in-charge, allegedly approached various stakeholders in the Delhi excise business for illegal gratification in exchange for a favourable policy.

The AAP refuted these charges, questioning why no money had been recovered despite extensive investigations. "Despite questioning 500 witnesses and filing 50,000 pages of documents, not one rupee of corruption has been traced to any AAP leader," the party stated.

Role of Vijay Nair and South Group

The CBI further alleged that Vijay Nair acted as a link between Kejriwal and accused persons from the South Group, led by BRS leader K Kavitha. Nair allegedly obtained Rs 100 crore from them for a favourable excise policy. The agency also claimed that Kejriwal played a role in processing and approving this manipulated policy.

According to the CBI, Kejriwal's involvement extended to transferring ill-gotten money to Goa through Vinod Chauhan and Ashish Mathur using hawala routes. As AAP's national convener, he directed that funds from the South Group be used for election expenses in Goa.

Financial Transactions and Goa Elections

The CBI alleged that Rs 44.5 crore of the total Rs 90-100 crore paid by the South Group was sent to Goa for election-related expenses. Two former Goa MLAs who contested on AAP tickets claimed they received cash from a party volunteer for campaign expenses.

The agency also accused Durgesh Pathak, AAP's Goa in-charge, of receiving and using money generated from the criminal conspiracy involving the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22. The CBI claimed that a cartel was formed between liquor manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, violating policy provisions.

Impact on Public Funds

The alleged conspiracy resulted in significant losses to the exchequer while providing undue benefits to public servants and other accused individuals. The CBI stated that all conspirators played active roles in achieving these illegal objectives.

Kejriwal was arrested by the CBI on June 26 while he was in Tihar Jail concerning a money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The Supreme Court's verdict on his petition challenging this arrest is awaited.

The AAP asserted its honesty and accused the BJP of making false allegations against its leaders. "The ED court has outright stated that there is not a single proof against Arvind Kejriwal ji," said an AAP statement. "The BJP and its agencies are doing everything they can to prolong his arrest despite having no evidence."

"But in the end, the truth will prevail and Arvind Kejriwal will soon walk free," added the statement. Both the ED's trial court and the Supreme Court have questioned the CBI's investigation into this matter.