Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Arrested by EDDelhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Arrested by ED: Unraveling the Excise Policy Scandal -

Introduction

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Arrested by ED in Money Laundering Case
In a significant development, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering probe linked to the Delhi excise policy case 12

The Case Background

The case pertains to alleged corruption and money laundering in formulating and executing the Delhi government’s excise policy for 2021-22, which was later scrapped3. The ED claims that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders received kickbacks worth ₹ 100 crore in the excise policy3.

In a dramatic turn of events, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21, 2024. This unprecedented move marks the first time a sitting Chief Minister has faced arrest in India. The charges are linked to an excise policy-related money laundering case, and the repercussions are reverberating across the political landscape.

The Excise Policy Case

The roots of this case lie in Delhi’s excise policy, which has come under intense scrutiny. Here’s a brief overview:

The Allegations

Arvind Kejriwal’s administration is under the spotlight due to alleged irregularities in the implementation of Delhi’s excise policy. The Enforcement Directorate (ED), a financial investigative agency, claims that funds were diverted illicitly, and there’s suspicion of money laundering through various channels.

ED’s Investigation

The ED has been meticulously scrutinizing financial transactions related to the excise policy. Their mission? To follow the money trail, identify who benefited, and establish a clear connection between policy decisions and financial gains. Think of it as a financial detective work!

Kejriwal’s Summons

Before his arrest, Arvind Kejriwal received a summons from the ED. They wanted answers: Was he involved? What were his financial dealings? Did he play any role in the alleged money laundering? The questioning was intense, and the stakes were high.

In a nutshell, this case revolves around the intersection of policy decisions, money, and accountability. As the legal drama unfolds, all eyes are on the courtroom, waiting for answers.

The Arrest

Kejriwal’s arrest came after two hours of intense questioning at his official residence. The ED team arrived to serve him a summons, and the situation escalated rapidly. The Delhi Police tightened security around his home, anticipating potential unrest.

The Delhi High Court had earlier refused to grant protection to Kejriwal from any coercive action by the ED. His application for interim relief was denied, leaving him vulnerable to arrest.

New Delhi:

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) today (21-03-2024) arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the liquor policy case. AAP leaders Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj had earlier said they suspected the ED would arrest him tonight. Mr Kejriwal, who is also the chief of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), had skipped the central probe agency’s summons nine times.
Delhi Minister and AAP leader Atishi posted on X they have requested the Supreme Court to cancel the arrest, and hold “an urgent hearing tonight itself”.

New Delhi:

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) today arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the liquor policy case. AAP leaders Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj had earlier said they suspected the ED would arrest him tonight. Mr. Kejriwal, who is also the chief of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), had skipped the central probe agency’s summons nine times.
Delhi Minister and AAP leader Atishi posted on X they have requested the Supreme Court to cancel the arrest, and hold “an urgent hearing tonight itself”.

Here’s a list of dates when Mr Kejriwal skipped the ED’s summons:

First – November 2, 2023
Second – December 21, 2023
Third – January 3, 2024
Fourth – January 18, 2024
Fifth – February 2, 2024
Sixth – February 19, 2024
Seventh – February 26, 2024
Eighth – March 4, 2024
Ninth – March 21, 2024

The Accusations

Kejriwal’s name has been mentioned multiple times in the charge sheets filed by the ED3. The agency has alleged that the accused were in touch with Kejriwal for formulating the excise policy3. AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are already in judicial custody in the case3.
Kejriwal’s Response
Kejriwal skipped eight summons issued by the federal agency since November 2 last year, calling it “illegal and politically motivated”3. ED has claimed that a conspiracy was hatched by political leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and K Kavitha (arrested last week) among others in the Delhi excise policy3.
Additional Details
Details of using hawala operators to transfer the proceeds to fund elections in Goa and of the hotel where the meetings happened, WhatsApp chats, and FaceTime calls purportedly between Arvind Kejriwal, his close associates, and those accused of taking kickbacks in connection with the alleged excise policy scam have been part of the exclusive information accessed by topudatess

Details of using hawala operators to transfer the proceeds to fund elections in Goa and of the hotel where the meetings happened, WhatsApp chats, and FaceTime calls purportedly between Arvind Kejriwal, his close associates, and those accused of taking kickbacks in connection with the alleged excise policy scam — these are part of the exclusive information accessed by News 18, which explains the Enforcement Directorate’s late night legal action and subsequent arrest of the Delhi chief minister on Thursday.

Kejriwal skipped nine summonses by the ED while two cases were filed under Indian Penal Code sections for not complying with them. That along with a host of evidence gathered by the directorate prompted the latest action, Topupdatess has learnt.

The evidence, the letters of the chief minister evading the summonses by calling them “political” and “illegal” and the cases the agency filed against Kejriwal before the court have “emboldened” the directorate and “prepared the ground” for the sternest legal action, a senior ED official told Topupdatess.
Conclusion
This arrest marks a significant turn in the ongoing investigation into the Delhi excise policy case. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen what the future holds for Kejriwal and the AAP3.

Political Fallout

The arrest has sent shockwaves through the political spectrum:

AAP’s Reaction: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Kejriwal, alleges that this move is an attempt to stifle dissent and prevent the Chief Minister from seeking legal recourse. They view it as an attack on democratic values.
BJP’s Stance: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sees Kejriwal’s arrest as a victory against corruption. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva called for Kejriwal’s immediate resignation, emphasizing that the arrest signifies the defeat of corruption.