CBI alleges Kejriwal’s involvement in excise policy conspiracy.
According to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), out of the total ₹90-100 crore allegedly paid by the “South Group” to influence the excise policy in its favor, ₹44.5 crore was diverted to Goa to cover election-related expenses. The “South Group” reportedly paid this amount as part of a larger plan to manipulate the policy, ensuring benefits for certain groups. The CBI claims that the money was intended to fund electoral activities during a critical time. This alleged cash transfer is now a key aspect of the investigation into the excise policy case, involving several high-profile figures.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has made significant allegations against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in its latest supplementary charge sheet concerning the Delhi Excise Policy case. According to the charge sheet, the CBI claims that Kejriwal was “party to the criminal conspiracy” from the very beginning of the policy’s formulation and implementation. The Delhi Excise Policy, which was later scrapped due to allegations of corruption, is now the center of the investigation, with Kejriwal and other prominent figures accused of involvement in illegal activities.
The CBI’s investigation, which has culminated in the submission of its fifth and final charge sheet, alleges that Kejriwal had a “pre-conceived idea of privatizing” the excise policy. The charge sheet further claims that in March 2021, when the policy was being developed by a Group of Ministers (GoM) led by co-accused Manish Sisodia, Kejriwal demanded monetary support for his party, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). It is alleged that Vijay Nair, AAP’s media and communication in-charge, approached various stakeholders in the Delhi excise business and solicited illegal payments in exchange for favorable policy provisions.
Kejriwal’s close connection with these dealings has been a focal point of the investigation. The CBI contends that Vijay Nair acted as a mediator between Kejriwal and the “South Group,” an alleged cartel involved in influencing the policy. The “South Group” was headed by K Kavitha, a leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), and allegedly paid ₹100 crore to secure favorable terms in the excise policy. The charge sheet states that Kejriwal played a direct role in the “processing and approval” of the policy, which had been manipulated to benefit these stakeholders.
One of the most significant claims made by the CBI is that a portion of the illicit funds was transferred to Goa for election-related expenses. According to the investigation, ₹44.5 crore of the ₹90-100 crore paid by the “South Group” was sent to Goa through the hawala route, facilitated by Vinod Chauhan and Ashish Mathur. The funds were allegedly used during the AAP’s campaign for the Goa assembly elections, with Kejriwal overseeing the transfer and usage of the money. The CBI further claims that Durgesh Pathak, AAP’s in-charge for Goa, played a key role in receiving and utilizing the funds.
Adding to these allegations, the CBI has pointed out that two former Goa MLAs who contested the elections on AAP tickets admitted to receiving cash from a party volunteer for campaign-related expenses. This further ties the illicit funds to AAP’s election campaign, reinforcing the agency’s claim that AAP was the ultimate beneficiary of the money generated from the excise policy conspiracy.
The CBI’s charge sheet also accuses the conspirators of forming a cartel involving liquor manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. This cartel, created by violating provisions of the excise policy, allegedly resulted in significant financial losses to the exchequer while offering undue benefits to the public servants and private stakeholders involved.
Throughout these allegations, AAP has strongly denied any wrongdoing, defending Kejriwal and others against the claims made by the CBI. Meanwhile, Kejriwal’s arrest by the CBI on June 26 has further complicated the situation, and his petition challenging the arrest is currently pending before the Supreme Court.
As the case unfolds, the final charge sheet submitted by the CBI provides a detailed account of the alleged conspiracy surrounding the Delhi Excise Policy, with far-reaching political and legal implications for those involved.