India

CBI Accuses Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Of Leading Role In Excise Policy Scam

In a counter affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of orchestrating the now-scrapped Delhi liquor policy. The CBI claims that Kejriwal, in “connivance” with then-Deputy Chief Minister and Excise Minister Manish Sisodia, was responsible for all critical decisions regarding the policy’s formulation.

The CBI is seeking the dismissal of Kejriwal’s plea challenging his arrest in the excise policy scandal. The agency argues that Kejriwal’s actions are an attempt to politically sensationalize the matter, despite repeated court orders affirming the prima facie evidence of offenses.

Also Read: BJP MLA Rajeshwar Singh Hits Back At SP’s Corruption Allegations

The affidavit states that, although Kejriwal does not hold a ministerial portfolio, all decisions within the Delhi government and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are made with his concurrence. This includes decisions affecting not only Delhi but also other regions where AAP operates.

Excise Policy’s Creation

According to the CBI, the investigation revealed that Kejriwal played a pivotal role in the new Excise Policy’s creation. The agency alleges that Kejriwal, in collaboration with Sisodia and other accused individuals, manipulated the policy to increase wholesalers’ profit margins from 5% to 12% without justification. This change allegedly resulted in illegal gains amounting to Rs 100 crore from the South Group, intended to cover AAP’s election expenses in Goa.

The CBI further asserts that Rs 44.54 crore funnel through hawala channels from Delhi to Goa for AAP’s election-related costs during the 2021-22 Goa Assembly elections. Kejriwal purportedly assure party candidates that election expenses will cover.

The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for September 5 to address Kejriwal’s bail plea and his challenge to the CBI’s arrest. A bench led by Justice Surya Kant adjourned proceedings after Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju requested a week to file a response on behalf of the CBI. The court had previously asked the CBI to submit its reply by August 23.

In the meantime, a local court extended Kejriwal’s judicial custody until August 27 in connection with the excise policy case.

Richa Kaushik

Recent Posts

Yogi Government Launches Massive Green Initiative For Maha Kumbh 2025

The Yogi Adityanath administration has launched a tree-planting campaign to make Prayagraj environmentally sustainable for…

4 mins ago

BJP MLA Rajeshwar Singh Calls On Akhilesh Yadav To Act As Positive Opposition In UP DGP Debate

Singh noted that, over seven years, police encounters have killed 197 criminals and injured 6,329.…

14 mins ago

Election Commission Appoints Sanjay Kumar Verma As New DGP For Maharashtra

The Election Commission of India endorsed the appointment of Sanjay Kumar Verma as the new…

44 mins ago

Devotees Mistakenly Collect AC Condensation As ‘Charan Amrit’ At Mathura Temple

Devotees at Mathura's Banke Bihari temple gathered to collect water dripping from a sculpted elephant,…

1 hour ago

State Cannot Claim Private Property Under Article 39(b): Supreme Court

A nine-judge SC bench ruled that the State cannot indiscriminately seize private property for redistribution…

2 hours ago

RG Kar Case: Junior Doctors In West Bengal Protest Alleged Gaps In CBI Chargesheet

Junior doctors in WB protested Tuesday over alleged flaws in the CBI chargesheet on their…

2 hours ago