Arvind Kejriwal Behind Bars: What Led to His Arrest? What’s the Truth Behind the Liquor Scam? understand the story in simple language

Arvind Kejriwal arrested: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been sent to Enforcement Directorate remand till March 28. Kejriwal was arrested by ED on March 21. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal has become the first leader to go to jail while being the Chief Minister. Before the arrest, ED had issued a total of 9 summons to Kejriwal, which he ignored.

So what is the case against Arvind Kejriwal? Why did Kejriwal have to go to jail? Let’s understand the whole story in simple language-

What are the allegations against Arvind Kejriwal?

The ED has told the court that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Kejriwal is the “mastermind and main conspirator of the Delhi Excise Policy Scam”. The ED said in its remand application that Kejriwal was involved in a conspiracy to benefit certain individuals and demanded bribes from liquor businessmen in return for this benefit. The agency said that the Aam Aadmi Party used the proceeds of crime in the Goa Assembly elections, in which Kejriwal is the main decision maker.

Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate, in a supplementary complaint, had alleged that Kejriwal had spoken to Sameer Mahendru, one of the main accused in the excise scam, over a video call and asked him to continue working with Vijay Nair, a co-accused in the scam. Kejriwal had described Nair as “his boy”. Let us tell you that Vijay Nair is the former communication in-charge of the Aam Aadmi Party.

Additional Solicitor General SV Raju told the court that Arvind Kejriwal had sought Rs 100 crore from South Group to contest the assembly elections in Punjab. He argued that about Rs 45 crore received from South Group was used by Aam Aadmi Party in the Goa assembly elections. The money used in the Goa elections came through hawala.

What is South Group, who is in it?

ED has also accused some politicians and businessmen from South India in the excise scam. The agency has named them as ‘South Group’. The South Group includes YSRCP MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy (MSR), his son Magunta Raghav Reddy, BRS leader K. Kavitha, chartered accountant Buchibabu Gorantla, Hyderabad businessman Abhishek Boinpalli and director of a leading pharmaceutical company P Sarath Candra Reddy.

What is Kejriwal’s connection with ‘South Group’?

According to ED, Kejriwal was directly involved in the formulation of Delhi’s controversial Excise Policy 2021-22. This policy was specifically prepared keeping in mind the benefits to be given to the South Group. ED claims that the South Group took unfair advantage through the excise policy, acquired stakes in wholesale businesses and several retail sectors (more than what was allowed in the policy) and in return paid Rs 100 crore to AAP leaders.

One of the alleged members of the “South Group” is K Kavitha, BRS leader and daughter of former Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, who was arrested by the agency on March 15. After Kavitha’s arrest, the ED on March 18 first alleged that Kejriwal was a conspirator in the case. “Investigation has revealed that K Kavitha, along with others, had conspired with top AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and (former deputy chief minister) Manish Sisodia, to obtain favours in the formulation and implementation of the Delhi excise policy. In lieu of these favours, she was involved in making payments of Rs 100 crore to AAP leaders…,” an ED spokesperson said.

What is Arvind Kejriwal’s stand?

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who appeared for Arvind Kejriwal in the court, said that Kejriwal’s arrest is based on three or four names. Singhvi argued that “more than 80%” of the people involved in the case have not mentioned Kejriwal or any transaction with him. Singhvi said that the case has been put together from the words of some co-accused and (Delhi) LG and approvers. There is no evidence of any wrongdoing against Kejriwal. Singhvi said, even after more than a year has passed, no objectionable material has been found against Kejriwal.

During the hearing in the court, Singhvi argued that the agency is working on a particular pattern. The first step of this pattern is- many witnesses will give statements, but Kejriwal will not be mentioned. The second step is- arrest the witnesses and deny them bail. The third step is- make a deal by making them approvers. Then the next day a statement will come which will be against Kejriwal.

What is the controversial excise policy? (Delhi Excise Policy)

The Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government brought in a new excise policy or Abkari Policy in 2021-22. This policy came into effect in November 2021, but was repealed in July 2022 after controversy. The entire controversy is centered on this policy. There are two cases registered in connection with the excise policy. One by the CBI, and the other by the ED in a case of alleged money laundering.

The controversy began with a report submitted by Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinay Kumar Saxena in July 2022, pointing to alleged procedural lapses in the formulation of the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22. The chief secretary’s report said that “arbitrary and unilateral decisions” taken by Sisodia as the excise minister resulted in “financial loss of over Rs 580 crore to the exchequer”.

CBI and ED are investigating

The Chief Secretary also alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party and its leaders took bribes from owners and operators of liquor businesses in exchange for exemption and extension of license fees, waiver of penalties and relief due to disruptions caused by Covid-19. This money was used to “influence” the assembly elections in Punjab and Goa. The report was sent to the CBI and led to Sisodia’s arrest on February 26, 2023.

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