Excise policy case: Delhi Court takes cognizance of ED’s chargesheet, issues summons to Arvind Kejriwal, AAP

Excise policy case: The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi has taken cognizance of the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) 7th supplementary prosecution complaint (chargesheet) filed against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in a money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy “scam”.

Special Judge Kaveri Baweja also issued a production warrant for Arvind Kejriwal and AAP on July 12, 2024, in the matter.

The ED arrested 55-year-old Kejriwal, also the national convenor of the AAP, from his official residence in Delhi on March 21.

The probe agency has alleged that Kejriwal is the “kingpin and key conspirator” of the excise "scam" and is "vicariously responsible" for it.

The court also took cognizance of ED's supplementary chargesheet against Vinod Chauhan and issued a production warrant for his presence before the court on July 12.

The agency filed the supplementary chargesheet against Arvind Kejriwal and AAP on May 17. The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 12.

AAP’s reaction

Reacting to ED’s supplementary chargesheet, AAP national secretary Pankaj Gupta on Tuesday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led union government is hatching a “big conspiracy” against the Aam Aadmi Party.

He also accused the BJP of wanting to “finish off AAP”, which governs Punjab and Delhi, at any cost. The AAP leader also claimed that the ED has failed to recover any “corruption money” in the case.

Kejriwal’s bail plea

Opposing Arvind Kejriwal's bail plea, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju submitted that there is evidence that Kejriwal demanded a bribe of ₹100 crore, which went to the AAP for the Goa election campaign.

It was also argued that ₹45 crores were sent by Vinod Chauhan to Chanpreet Singh through hawala dealers. Chanpreet Singh was looking after the AAP Goa election campaign.

The ED, while seeking remand, had submitted that the arrestee (Kejriwal) was shown the evidence of hawala transfers to the tune of ₹45 crore approx, which is corroborated with CDR locations, call records, IT seized data of hawala firm in Goa, proof of payments being done in part cash and part bill and WhatsApp showing this arrangement. 

The agency said that he was also shown multiple statements of witnesses who worked on the AAP campaign in Goa and received cash from Chanpreet Singh.

Raju also submitted that Arvind Kejriwal was in touch with Vinod Chauhan through chats and that ₹1 crore had been recovered from him.