The Impressive TimesNew Delhi, 5 September 2024 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has intensified its probe into the Delhi Excise Policy case, accusing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its national convenor, Arvind Kejriwal, of benefiting from illicit funds generated through a criminal conspiracy. According to the CBI, the Delhi Chief Minister played a pivotal role in formulating the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy with the intention of generating illegal monetary gains for the party. In its supplementary charge sheet, the CBI claimed that Kejriwal, from the inception of the policy’s formulation, was involved in a conspiracy to privatize the excise policy, which led to the flow of illicit funds to AAP. The CBI has also alleged that Kejriwal, in March 2021, sought financial backing for AAP during the formulation of the policy by the Group of Ministers (GoM) led by his close associate and former Deputy Chief Minister, Manish Sisodia.
Vijay Nair, AAP’s head of Media and Communication, is accused of approaching key stakeholders in the Delhi liquor industry and soliciting illegal payments in exchange for favorable modifications to the policy. The CBI asserts that the funds obtained were used to finance AAP’s election campaign for the Goa Assembly Elections in 2022. The agency further claims that AAP’s financial statements related to election expenditure during the Goa campaign are misleading, as they only account for bank transactions, omitting substantial cash payments made to vendors, booth managers, and volunteers. Kejriwal, who was arrested by the CBI on June 26, remains the only significant political figure currently in custody in connection with the case. His bail request will be reviewed by the Supreme Court, after his initial plea was rejected by the Delhi High Court. Meanwhile, his associates, Manish Sisodia and Vijay Nair, are out on bail. The CBI also highlighted irregularities in AAP’s election funding for the Goa Assembly Elections, noting that large sums of money from the excise policy conspiracy were funneled into the party’s campaign. The agency believes the funds, unaccounted for in official records, played a critical role in the party’s election efforts. Kejriwal has consistently denied the charges, labeling them as politically motivated. The Supreme Court’s upcoming decision on his bail plea is expected to have significant implications for both AAP and the political landscape of Delhi.
The investigation into the case continues, with more revelations expected in the coming weeks as the CBI tightens its probe into the AAP’s alleged misuse of power and resources for illicit gain.
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