The Agency tied with the excise policy case of Delhi has filed Delhi Administration Chief Accuser – Arvind Kejriwal, and his party – the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) – with another chargesheet on 17 May 2024. So far, this is the eighth chargesheet related to the series of arrests that have taken place during the ongoing investigation which has involved about eighteen suspects. The ED told the Supreme Court that they have filed the prosecution complaint against AAP making it the first political party under Indian laws concerning money laundering, which are anti-money laundering laws.
The case revolves around alleged corruption and money laundering in the creation and execution of Delhi’s 2021-22 excise policy, which was later scrapped. Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena initially recommended a CBI probe into the policy’s alleged irregularities, leading to the ED’s involvement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
The Enforcement Directorate charged Kejriwal with being the “kingpin and key conspirator” in the so-called excise scam, asserting that he conspired with other Delhi government ministers, AAP leaders and various individuals.Ed Additional Solicitor General SV Raju accused Kejriwal of directly demanding ₹100 crore as kickbacks to fund AAP’s Goa election campaign. The Supreme Court, during the hearing, questioned the ED on how it would substantiate these claims, prompting a discussion on the difference between “grounds of arrest” and “reasons to believe.”
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This development follows Kejriwal’s arrest in March 2024 and his subsequent interim bail granted until June 1. The Supreme Court is reviewing his plea challenging the arrest. If the allegations are proven, it would be a significant legal precedent, as no political party has previously been accused under the anti-money laundering statutes, despite the scrutiny of various NGOs and organizations.
The ED’s ongoing investigation continues to uncover the depths of the alleged financial misconduct, with significant political implications for AAP and its leadership. As the case unfolds, the political landscape in Delhi and beyond may witness considerable turbulence, influenced by the judicial outcomes of these proceedings.
