The World Opinion

Tag: Enforcement Directorate

  • ‘Contradicting Yourself’: Supreme Court’s Strong Remarks On Arvind Kejriwal’s Plea Against Arrest |

    The Supreme Court of India yesterday heard Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s plea challenging his arrest. While the CM’s counsel contended that his arrest was illegal and was done merely based on suspicion, the apex court made some strong remarks. Appearing for Kejriwal, senior lawyer Abhishek Singhvi said that a person can be arrested only on evidence of guilt. Referring to Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, Singhvi contended that the investigating agency had not recorded the statement of the Delhi Chief Minister, said reports.

    However, the top court reacted sharply to this saying that the petitioner is contradicting his own statement. “Are you not contradicting yourself by saying that his statements under Section 50 of the PMLA were not recorded?” said the court adding that first the CM did not appear on summons for recording of statements under Section 50 and now saying it was not recorded. Arvind Kejriwal had refused to appear before the Enforcement Directorate despite the probe agency issuing nine summons to him. 

    Kejriwal has moved the Supreme Court challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in the Delhi liquor policy case. Kejriwal contended that his arrest was illegal, politically motivated and aimed at toppling the Delhi government. 

    According to reports, the top court noted that the petitioner cannot take the defence that his statement was not recorded because he did not go for it when summoned. To this, Singhvi responded, “Non-recording of Section 50 statements is not a defence to arrest me for reasons of believing there is guilt…The ED came to my house to arrest me. Then why can’t ED record my statement under Section 50 at my house?” he added.

    The Enforcement Directorate has submitted before the court that Kejriwal was avoiding interrogation while recording his statement under Section 17 of the PMLA. The ED also accused the CM of being evasive and uncooperative. 

    The top court also asked why Kejriwal did not file a plea for bail in the trial court, Singhvi told the bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta that they have approached the Supreme Court as it has ‘wider jurisdiction’.

    Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 and is currently lodged in Tihar jail. The hearing in the case will continue today.

  • ‘No Proof That AAP Received Kickbacks’: Arvind Kejriwal Responds To ED’s Allegations In Delhi Liquor Policy Case |

    NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday filed his response to the Enforcement Directorate’s affidavit in the Supreme Court, saying that there is no proof that AAP received funds or advanced kickbacks in connection with the ongoing probe into the liquor policy case. In his reply, the AAP chief stated that the mode, manner, and timing of his arrest just before when the schedule of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 was announced and the Model Code of Conduct had come into force speaks volumes about the arbitrariness of the ED.

    The jailed Delhi Chief Minister further claimed that there exists no proof or material demonstrating that the AAP received funds or advanced kickbacks from the South group, let alone utilising them in the Goa election campaign. 

    “Not a single rupee was traced back to the AAP, and the allegations put forth in this regard are devoid of any tangible evidence, rendering them vague, baseless without any corroboration,” Arvind Kejriwal said in his affidavit.

     

    Delhi Liquor policy case: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal files his response on the ED’s affidavit in the Supreme Court, and says that the mode, manner, and timing of his arrest just before when the schedule of the Lok Sabha elections had been announced and the Model Code of…
    — ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2024

     

    Kejriwal also accused the Enforcement Directorate (ED) of acting in a “most highhanded manner” in a money-laundering case stemming from the alleged excise policy scam. In a rejoinder to the ED’s reply affidavit filed on his petition challenging his arrest in the case, Kejriwal said he has always cooperated with the investigation.

    The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor said the ED, in its reply affidavit filed in the apex court, has said that one of the reasons which necessitated his arrest was that he did not remain present before the investigating officer (IO) despite being summoned nine times.

    Kejriwal said the ED has said in its reply that in such a case, the IO was justified in forming an opinion that custodial interrogation would lead to “a qualitatively more elicitation orientated” questioning of the accused.

    “The aforementioned tenor, text and contents of the reply leave no manner of doubt that the ED has acted in a most highhanded manner in a gross affront to the due process of law,” he said.

    Kejriwal further claimed that a cumulative reading of the ED’s stand in its reply would expose the “bogey and blatant falsehood” in the conduct of its proceedings. The AAP supremo said the record would reveal that each and every summons issued to him was duly responded to while seeking vital details and information, which under no circumstances can be claimed to be privileged or confidential by the ED.

    Kejriwal claimed that the ED has never spelt out the alleged non-cooperation by him. “What was the requirement in not calling the petitioner (Kejriwal) either through an authorised agent or seeking information or documents from him in writing or through a virtual mode and insisting on his presence physically in person, is not forthcoming,” he said.

    Kejriwal maintained that his plea deserves to be allowed and he is entitled to be released forthwith.

  • Excise Policy Case: BRS Leader K Kavitha’s Judicial Custody Extended Till April 23 |

    New Delhi: The Rouse Avenue Court on Tuesday extended the judicial custody of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K Kavitha till April 23, 2024, in connection with the excise policy money laundering case. The Special Judge, Kaveri Baweja, allowed the plea of the Enforcement Directorate, stating that she’s made attempts to influence the witnesses, and tampered with evidence and hence her judicial custody should be extended by 14 days.

     

    Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court extends the judicial custody of BRS MLC K Kavitha till April 23, in excise policy money laundering case

    She was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 15, 2024. https://t.co/pU1wbTeCSg
    — ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2024

     

    Advocate Nitesh Rana appeared for K Kavitha and opposed the ED plea, stating that there’s nothing new since she was arrested, there are no new grounds. The application doesn’t mention anything. Meanwhile, the Court had refused to permit K Kavitha to address personally/orally and said she could give her submissions in written form.

    Advocate Zoheb Hossain along with Naveen Kumar Matta and Simon Benjamin appeared for the Enforcement Directorate in the case while Advocates Nitesh Rana, Deepak Rana and Mohit Rao appeared for accused K Kavitha. Recently, the same court had allowed the CBI plea to quiz/examine K Kavitha during judicial custody in the Tihar Jail on any day of the coming week.

    CBI, through the application, sought court permission to interrogate, quiz and record the statement of BRS Leader K Kavitha regarding WhatsApp chats recovered from Buchi Babu’s phone and documents to a Land deal post which 100 crores were allegedly paid to Aam Aadmi Party in kickbacks.

    The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) arrested K. Kavitha MLC, Telangana Legislative Council, on March 15, 2024, in the case of the Delhi Liquor Policy Scam. A search was also conducted at the residence of K. Kavitha in Hyderabad on March 15, 2024. During the search proceedings, the ED officials were obstructed by the relatives and associates of K. Kavitha, said ED through a statement.

    ED investigation revealed that K Kavitha along with others conspired with the top leaders of AAP including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia to get favours in the Delhi Excise policy formulation and implementation. In exchange for these favours, she was involved in paying Rs 100 Crore to the leaders of AAP.

    Through acts of corruption and conspiracy in the formulation and implementation of Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, a continuous stream of illegal funds in the form of kickbacks from wholesalers was generated for the AAP. Further, K. Kavitha and her associates were to recover the proceeds of crime paid in advance to AAP and to generate profits or proceeds of crime from this entire conspiracy, stated ED.

    To date, the ED has conducted searches on 245 locations across the country, including Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai and other places. 15 people, including Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh and Vijay Nair from AAP, have been arrested in the case so far.

    ED has filed 1 Prosecution Complaint and 5 Supplementary Complaints in the case so far.

    Further, out of the proceeds of crime generated, assets worth Rs 128.79 crore have been traced so far and have been attached via provisional attachment orders dated January 24, 2023, and July 3, 2023. Both the attachment orders have been confirmed by the adjudicating authority in New Delhi.

    ED has filed its first chargesheet in the case. The agency said it has so far undertaken nearly 200 search operations in this case after filing an FIR taking cognizance of a CBI case that was registered on the recommendation of the Delhi Lieutenant Governor.

    The CBI inquiry was recommended on the findings of the Delhi Chief Secretary’s report filed in July showing prima facie violations of the GNCTD Act 1991, Transaction of Business Rules (ToBR)-1993, Delhi Excise Act-2009, and Delhi Excise Rules- 2010, officials had said.

    The ED and the CBI had alleged that irregularities were committed while modifying the Excise Policy, undue favours were extended to licence holders, the licence fee was waived or reduced and the L-1 licence was extended without the competent authority’s approval. The beneficiaries diverted “illegal” gains to the accused officials and made false entries in their books of account to evade detection, the probe agencies said.

    As per the allegations, the excise department had decided to refund the earnest money deposit of about Rs 30 crore to a successful tenderer against the set rules. Even though there was no enabling provision, a waiver on tendered licence fees was allowed from December 28, 2021, to January 27, 2022, due to COVID-19, the probe agency said and there was an alleged loss of Rs 144.36 crore to the exchequer. 

  • Rs 31-Crore Land Fraud Case Against Hemant Soren Has TV, Fridge Bills As Evidence By ED |

    Jailed former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s trouble in the land fraud case is mounting with each passing day. Days before, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had claimed that Soren took the assistance of a revenue official and custodian of original government records, namely Bhanu Pratap Prasad, in his alleged ‘activities linked to illegal occupation, acquisition or possession of proceeds of crime in form of landed properties’. Soren has been accused of illegally acquiring 8.86 acres of land valued at over Rs 31 crore.  Now, the ED has submitted bills for a refrigerator and a smart TV among other key evidence against Soren. 

    Accusations have arisen regarding Soren’s alleged involvement in the procurement of a refrigerator and a smart TV under the names of Santosh Munda’s family members. Munda claims to have served as a caretaker for Soren’s property situated on disputed land for numerous years, despite Soren’s denial of any affiliation with the land. 

    The Enforcement Directorate (ED) emphasized the acquisition of household appliances under the names of Munda’s family members as evidence of their residency on the disputed property, contradicting Pahan’s ownership claims. The agency alleged that Pahan was colluding with Soren to conceal the unlawful proceeds and obstruct the investigation.

    Additionally, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has disregarded Rajkumar Pahan’s assertion of ownership over the land, alleging that he acted as a proxy for Soren to retain control over the asset. The ED disclosed that Pahan attempted to gain possession of the land shortly before Soren’s arrest, prompting the state government to transfer ownership back to him. Originally designated as ‘Bhuinhari’ property, the land was purportedly acquired unlawfully by Soren in 2010-11, despite its traditional ownership by the ‘Mundas’ and ‘Pahans’.

    According to Santosh Munda’s testimony, both Soren and his wife visited the property several times, and Munda himself was involved in construction activities there. These details were documented in bills that were deemed crucial evidence in the charge sheet, listed under the ‘relied upon documents’ section. The prosecution under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) was sought against Soren and his co-accused based on this evidence. The 191-page charge sheet identified Soren, Rajkumar Pahan, Hilariyas Kachhap, Bhanu Pratap Prasad, and Binod Singh as the accused parties. On March 30, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seized the disputed land.

    The ED had initiated a money laundering investigation in cases of land scams based on multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) registered by Jharkhand Police against several persons including government officials. The ED had earlier carried out 51 searches and nine surveys in such cases and incriminating evidence like forged seals of Land Revenue Department, forged land deeds, records of distribution of Proceeds of Crime, photographs of doing forgery and evidence of giving bribes to Government officials were seized. Searches have resulted in the recovery and seizure of Rs 1.25 crore of cash and further freezing of Rs 3.56 crore of bank account balances.

  • ‘BJP Top Leadership Behind Arvind Kejriwal’s Arrest’: AAP MP Sanjay Singh On Liquor Policy Case |

    NEW DELHI: A day after his release from jail, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh held a press conference on Friday during which he claimed that a ”conspiracy” was orchestrated by senior leaders of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) to arrest his party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the liquor policy case. Singh accused the BJP of involvement in the Delhi Excise Policy scam, suggesting that high-ranking members of the party were complicit in the alleged wrongdoing.

    Magunta Reddy Forced To Accuse Kejriwal: Sanjay Singh

    Singh highlighted the case of Magunta Reddy and his son Raghav Magunta, asserting that their statements underwent significant alterations under duress. According to Singh, Magunta Reddy initially provided statements that did not implicate Kejriwal but changed his stance following his son’s arrest and prolonged detention. Similarly, Raghav Magunta allegedly altered his testimony after enduring months of incarceration, eventually inculpating Kejriwal in the purported conspiracy.

     

    #WATCH | Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh says, “There is one person, Magunta Reddy, who gave 3 statements, his son Raghav Magunta gave 7 statements. On 16th September, when he (Magunta Reddy) was first asked by ED whether he knew Arvind Kejriwal, he told the truth and said… pic.twitter.com/YzyPrZxYAQ
    — ANI (@ANI) April 5, 2024

     

    Selective Editing by Authorities

    Singh accused the Enforcement Directorate (ED) of selectively removing statements that did not implicate Kejriwal, thereby allegedly manipulating the narrative to suit their agenda. He claimed that the agency disregarded testimonies that exonerated Kejriwal while emphasizing those that inculpated him, insinuating bias in the investigative process.

    ED Raids And Alleged Intimidation

    Singh further alleged that individuals who initially denied any association with Kejriwal were coerced into incriminating him after facing prolonged detention and intimidation tactics by investigative authorities. He cited the case of Sarath Reddy, whose prolonged detention allegedly led to a change in his testimony, implicating Kejriwal under duress.

     

    #WATCH | Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh says, “…There is a person Sarath Reddy, whose residence was raided on 9th November 2022. When he was asked if he knew Arvind Kejriwal, he denied it and said that he had never met him. 12 statements of Sarath Reddy were recorded… pic.twitter.com/zdynwMchhS
    — ANI (@ANI) April 5, 2024

     

    Following his release, Singh visited a Hanuman temple in Connaught Place, where he prayed for wisdom to prevail within the BJP-led central government. Additionally, he paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. Singh’s post-release activities included a meeting with Sunita Kejriwal, the wife of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

    Arrest Of Delhi CM

    Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the excise policy case. The trial court on April 1, sent Arvind Kejriwal to Judicial Custody till April 15, 2024. ED alleged that the Aam Adami Party (AAP) is the major beneficiary of the proceeds of crime generated in the alleged liquor scam. The agency claimed that Kejriwal was directly involved in the formation of the excise policy. 

    The case pertains to alleged irregularities and money laundering in framing and implementing the Delhi Excise Policy 2022, which was later scrapped. While Kejriwal was not named in the FIRs registered by the ED or the Central Bureau of Investigation in the Delhi excise policy case, his name first found a mention in the ED’s chargesheet, wherein the agency claimed that he allegedly spoke to one of the main accused, Sameer Mahendru, in a video call and asked him to continue working with co-accused and AAP communications-in-charge Vijay Nair. 

    Nair was among the first people to be arrested by the CBI in the case, in 2022. Subsequently, former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh were arrested in connection with the case.

  • Special Diet, Medicines For Arvind Kejriwal: Know What Else Is Allowed For Delhi CM In ED Custody |

    NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who has been remanded to the custody of the Enforcement Directorate till March 28, will be grilled by the central probe agency in connection with the excise policy case on Saturday. As mandated by the court, the AAP chief will be interrogated on camera. Kejriwal was on Friday remanded to the ED custody. The order was passed late Friday by Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court, hours after the Delhi Chief Minister withdrew a Supreme Court plea challenging his arrest in the alleged liquor policy scam case.

    In its order, the court allowed the agency to interrogate Kejriwal regarding his alleged role in the liquor scam and confront him with data obtained from digital devices and other materials related to the investigation. The court also asked the agency to trace the ”proceeds of crime”.

    On-Camera Interrogation

    According to the order of the Rouse Avenue Court, the interrogation of Arvind Kejriwal will take place in a location covered by CCTV coverage and the recording will be preserved. 

    Special Diet For Arvind Kejriwal

    The court also accepted Kejriwal’s demand for medicines and a special diet (home-cooked food) citing high blood sugar. The court approved this demand, stating that necessary medicines and food prescribed by the doctor should be provided to him. If the ED cannot arrange the specified diet, then home-cooked food should be provided to him, it said. The central agency had sought custody of Kejriwal for 10 days, stating it needed time to complete its investigation and confront the Aam Aadmi Party leader with other arrested accused in the case.

    Nod To Meet Family Members, Lawyers

    Kejriwal, who became the first sitting Chief Minister in independent India to be arrested on Thursday, has been permitted to meet his wife Sunita and his secretary Bibhav Kumar for half an hour between 6 pm and 7 pm. He can also meet his advocates Mohammad Irshad and Vivek Jain during the stipulated period.

    Kejriwal Kingpin Of Liquor Scam: ED

    During the court proceedings on Friday, Kejriwal was depicted by the central agency as the ”linchpin” and ”pivotal conspirator” in the purported scam. Additionally, the agency labelled him as the intermediary between the ‘south group’ and other detainees, including former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, arrested last year.

    The alleged malfeasance, enveloping the excise policy case of 2022, purportedly involved funds exceeding Rs  600 crore, with a portion allegedly disbursed by the ‘south group’, reportedly encompassing Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader K Kavitha, apprehended last week.

    Despite the gravity of the accusations levelled against him, Kejriwal vehemently refutes all charges. Notably, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has claimed that the ED has yet to produce any evidence of the alleged monetary transactions.

    In his initial response following the arrest, Kejriwal said that his life is dedicated to the nation. Simultaneously, his wife, Sunita Kejriwal, echoed a similar sentiment through a social media appeal on X, highlighting her husband’s unwavering commitment to serving the country.

    Kejriwal was represented by legal luminaries including senior advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Vikram Chaudhari, and Ramesh Gupta, alongside Advocates Rajat Bharadwaj, Mudit Jain, and Mohd Irshad. Conversely, the ED was represented by ASG SV Raju and Special Counsel Zoheb Hossain.

    Denial Of Allegations By AAP

    The AAP vehemently contests the allegations, citing the lack of substantial evidence even after a two-year investigation. Kejriwal’s lawyer, Madan Lal, reiterated the party’s stance, emphasizing the absence of any incriminating evidence linking Kejriwal to the purported wrongdoing.

    Post the court ruling, Atishi, a prominent AAP figure, expressed discontent with the judicial decision, vowing to explore all legal avenues to challenge the verdict. The party perceives the situation as a targeted attack on opposition parties, questioning the ethical underpinnings of the legal proceedings.

    Political Backlash Over Kejriwal’s Arrest

    Criticism of Kejriwal’s arrest reverberated across political circles, with leaders from various parties condemning the BJP-led government’s actions. Delhi Minister Kailash Gahlot questioned the legitimacy of the charges, labelling the case as a political vendetta aimed at hindering Kejriwal’s political influence. Furthermore, prominent political figures such as Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leader Sachin Pilot denounced the arrest, alleging institutional manipulation to serve political agendas.

    The arrest of Kejriwal has not only sparked domestic uproar but has also garnered international attention, with support pouring in from various quarters. AAP leaders and supporters took to the streets in protest, denouncing what they perceived as an ”assault on democracy.”

    INDIA Bloc Moves EC

    Amidst mounting pressure, INDIA bloc leaders approached the Election Commission, decrying the arrests as an attempt to stifle democratic dissent. The bloc emphasized the need for safeguarding democratic principles and protecting the rights of elected officials. The letter submitted to the poll body by INDIA on Friday asserted that “arrests, of individuals holding Constitutional posts are intended to have a stifling and deleterious effect on the democratic functioning of the affairs of their respective states, as well as the parties themselves”.

    The letter further read, “It is a move that is deliberately designed to demotivate and demoralise the members of these parties and the opposition at large. These arrested individuals, one of whom is the National Convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party, and the other is the Working President of Jharkhand, Mukti Morcha, are elected leaders of our country who have championed the cause of those on the margins of our society, including our brothers and sisters belonging to the tribal communities.”

    Arvind Kejriwal was arrested Thursday evening hours after the Delhi High Court refused to grant him protection from arrest. A team of 12 officials rushed to his residence, where they questioned him, seized documents and other materials, and then, at 9 pm, arrested the three-time Chief Minister.

    Kejriwal has been arrested in the Delhi liquor policy scam case; the central agency has accused the AAP leader of being a “conspirator”. The ED believes the now-scrapped policy provided an impossibly high-profit margin of nearly 185 per cent for retailers and 12 per cent for wholesalers. Of the latter, six per cent was to be recovered by the AAP as bribes, which amounted to over Rs 600 crore. Nearly a third of this, the ED has alleged, was paid by a ‘south group’ that included BRS leader K Kavitha. These proceeds were then allegedly used by the AAP for election campaign expenses. Apart from Kejriwal, two prominent AAP leaders – Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia – have also been arrested in connection with this case. 

  • Will Arvind Kejriwal’s Arrest Impact 2024 Lok Sabha Polls, Will It Dent AAP’s Poll Prospects? |

    NEW DELHI: Amid the high-voltage drama, Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi and the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with allegations of corruption and money laundering linked to Delhi’s excise policy. The arrest marks a significant moment in Indian political history, as Kejriwal has become the first sitting chief minister to face arrest in a criminal case.

    Allegations Of Corruption And Money Laundering 

    The case against Kejriwal and others revolves around accusations of corruption and money laundering concerning the formulation and execution of Delhi’s excise policy for the fiscal year 2021-22, which was subsequently scrapped. Kejriwal’s repeated avoidance of summons by the ED only served to intensify scrutiny on the matter, ultimately leading to his arrest.

    Arrest Amidst Election Season

    Importantly, Kejriwal’s arrest comes at a politically sensitive juncture, just before the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. With the political landscape already charged with anticipation and speculation, this development adds a layer of complexity to AAP’s electoral strategy.

    What Next For AAP?

    AAP, a party known for its anti-corruption stance and grassroots appeal, now faces a critical leadership vacuum with its prominent figures embroiled in legal troubles. Kejriwal’s absence as the party’s star campaigner poses a significant challenge, forcing AAP to reconsider its electoral tactics and leadership structure. Kejriwal’s arrest compounds an already complex situation for AAP, as prominent figures like Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, and Satyendra Jain are embroiled in the same investigation. As AAP strives to expand its political footprint nationally and engages in strategic alliances, Kejriwal’s absence poses a formidable obstacle to the party’s electoral ambitions.

    The arrest disrupts AAP’s carefully crafted campaign strategies, particularly in Delhi and Gujarat, where Kejriwal serves as the focal point of electoral messaging. The party’s reliance on Kejriwal’s mass appeal and popularity underscores the magnitude of the challenge it now faces in recalibrating its campaign strategy.

    Who Can Lead AAP In Kejriiwal’s Absence?

    In the wake of Kejriwal’s arrest, AAP confronts the challenge of identifying a capable leader to navigate the party through this turbulent period. Names like Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Raghav Chadha and Bhagwant Mann emerge as potential contenders, each bringing unique strengths and considerations to the table. The selection of a successor assumes paramount importance as AAP strives to maintain its political relevance and momentum.

    Governance Amidst Legal Battle

    Beyond its electoral implications, Kejriwal’s arrest raises fundamental questions about governance in Delhi. As the AAP government contends with legal and constitutional challenges, the efficacy of governance amidst ongoing legal battles remains a subject of intense scrutiny. The party’s ability to uphold its governance agenda and deliver on electoral promises becomes increasingly precarious in this volatile environment.

    AAP’s response to Kejriwal’s arrest is characterized by a delicate balance of strategic manoeuvres and public engagement. The party’s efforts to leverage the arrest as a rallying point for public sympathy underscore its determination to mitigate the electoral fallout. However, navigating the complexities of public perception and political dynamics presents a formidable challenge as AAP seeks to reaffirm its commitment to its core principles of ”zero tolerance” and electoral objectives.

    As the nation grapples with the implications of Kejriwal’s arrest, the future of AAP hangs in the balance. The unfolding legal battle, coupled with the impending Lok Sabha Elections, has set the already stage for a high-stakes political showdown, where every move and decision carries significant consequences. As political parties strategize and discuss their next moves in this charged atmosphere, the fate of AAP and its electoral prospects remain uncertain, awaiting further developments in this unfolding saga.

  • Live: Heavy Deployment Of Security Forces Around Delhi CM Kejriwal’s Residence As ED Raid Continues |

    ED Raid At Kejriwal Live Update: A team from the Enforcement Directorate visited the residence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for questioning this evening in connection with the alleged money laundering case related to the Delhi Excise policy scam. The team is reportedly questioning the Delhi CM for more than one hour while searches are also underway at his residence. Senior Delhi Police officials including ACP rank officers and DCP North Manoj Meena are present at the CM’s residence. The security around the Delhi CM’s residence has been increased and paramilitary personnel have also been deployed.

    ED Raid At Delhi CM: Watch Live Coverage Here

    Around 8pm, additional team of some ED officials and paramilitary forces reached Delhi CM Kejriwal’s residence. According to reports, the ED wants to take Arvind Kejriwal to its office for questioning and thus it has called for additional teams. 

    The ED’s action came after the Delhi High Court today denied interim relief to the Delhi CM in the ED summons case related to the liquor policy. The ED team has reached CM’s residence with a search warrant. Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, who reached Kejriwal’s residence shortly after the ED raid commenced, said that he was not allowed to go inside and claimed that the central probe agency is planning to arrest the Delhi CM. AAP minister Atishi accused the ED of ignoring the HC order and questioned the central probe agency’s rush to arrest Kejriwal.

    It may be noted that the Delhi CM has moved to the High Court against the ED summons seeking a direction to the central probe agency to not take any coercive action against him. However, while the Delhi HC refused to provide any interim relief to Kejriwal, it also asked the ED to submit its reply in the case by April 22. However, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s legal team moved to the Supreme Court and filed a petition challenging the High Court’s order denying interim relief to him in the Excise policy case. 

    Several AAP workers including Delhi Ministers reached the Delhi CM’s residence after the ED raid news and sloganeered against the BJP while supporting Kejriwal. 

    Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also reacted to the ED raid. “BJP’s political team (ED) cannot arrest Kejriwal’s thinking…because only AAP can stop BJP. Ideology/thinking can never be suppressed,” said Mann. Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal alleged political conspiracy. “All efforts are underway to arrest the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who is providing world class education-health-electricity-water facilities in Delhi. Arresting him just before the elections in a case that has been going on for 2 years shows political conspiracy. The whole of Delhi and the whole country is with Kejriwal,” said Maliwal.

    Delhi ministers incuding Atishi and Sourabh Bhardwaj have alleged that the ED is planning to arrest Kejriwal just before elections to hamper Aam Aadmi Party’s Lok Sabha poll campaign. On the other hand, the BJP has accuse CM Kejriwal of evading probe agency accusing Kejriwal of being the mastermind of the Delhi Excise policy. 

  • Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Gets Bail In Case Related To Skipping ED Summons |

    Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today appeared before a Delhi court in connection with a case filed against him by the Enforcement Directorate for skipping the probe agency’s summons. CM Kejriwal physically appeared before the court after failing to get relief from a physical appearance. Rouse Avenue Court’s ACMM Divya Malhotra granted bail to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in two complaints filed by the ED. He was granted bail on a bail bond of Rs 15,000 and a surety of Rs 1 lakh. 

    Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legal head Sanjeev Nasiar said, “The court had summoned CM (Arvind Kejriwal). The last time he attended it through video conferencing when he was directed again he said that he would appear physically. He appeared today & submitted the bail bond. The bail was granted.”

    CM Kejriwal appeared before the court following a summons issued to him by the court on the basis of two ED complaints in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy case.

    Nasiar said that regarding the ED summons, AAP’s stand is clear that they are not as per law & are illegal. “The court will decide that now…We have full faith in the court. Whatever decision the court takes, our decision will be according to that,” he said.

    Reena Gupta, AAP leader, said that this case is a bogus one and the ED has been conducting raids for the past two years but found nothing. She added that the main issue today is the scam done using the electoral bonds.

    Kejriwal has challenged the summons issued by the court after taking cognizance of two complaints filed by the ED for avoidance of the summons issued to him. According to the ED, the agency wants to record Kejriwal’s statement in the case on issues like the formulation of policy, meetings held before it was finalized, and allegations of bribery.

    The Sessions Court of Rouse Avenue Court on Friday refused to stay the summons issued to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on complaints filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Kejriwal has challenged the summons issued by the court for not complying with the summons issued by the central probe agency in the Delhi liquor policy money laundering case.

  • Subhash Yadav, Close Aide Of Lalu Yadav Arrested By ED In Illegal Sand Mining Case

    According to official sources searches have been conducted at the residences of Yadav and several others on Saturday, as part of a case filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).