ED Accuses Arvind Kejriwal of Masterminding Excise Scam, Urges Supreme Court to Dismiss Petition

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court concerning the petition filed against the arrest and custody of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the lower court. In the affidavit, the ED asserts that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is the mastermind and key conspirator behind the excise scam. The ED highlights that the High Court, after thorough consideration, has acknowledged Kejriwal’s involvement in money laundering based on the available evidence.

Demand to Dismiss Kejriwal’s Petition

Opposing Kejriwal’s petition challenging the High Court’s ruling, the ED contends that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has been a major beneficiary of the proceeds of the crime orchestrated by Kejriwal. The ED emphasizes that the High Court meticulously examined all aspects, rendering the petition baseless, and urges the Supreme Court to dismiss Kejriwal’s plea.

ED Brands Kejriwal as the Mastermind of the Scam

In the affidavit, the ED asserts that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, along with Delhi government ministers, AAP leaders, and others, orchestrated the Delhi Excise scam. The High Court’s determination of Kejriwal’s central role in the scam, based on factual and argumentative assessments by the ED, is deemed entirely appropriate. The ED affirms that Kejriwal’s direct involvement in formulating the Excise Policy 2021-22 underscores his culpability.

ED’s Allegations against AAP

The agency alleges that the policy, tailored to favor the South Group, was conceived in collaboration with Vijay Nair, Manish Sisodia, and representatives of the South Group. The ED further claims that AAP engaged in money laundering through Kejriwal, falling under the purview of Section 70 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. According to the ED, AAP reaped the benefits of the proceeds of crime from the Delhi Excise scam, with Arvind Kejriwal at the helm of the party’s major operations. Witness statements corroborate Kejriwal’s pivotal role as a founding member involved in policy-making decisions.

Also Read: NGO Petitions Supreme Court for SIT Probe into Alleged Electoral Bond Scam