Arvind Kejriwal 'kingpin', 'key conspirator' in excise scam: ED tells Delhi HC
economictimes.indiatimes.comED on Tuesday told the Delhi High Court that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was the «kingpin» and the «key conspirator» of the "excise scam". The federal agency opposed the AAP convener's petition challenging his arrest in the related money laundering case.
In its reply filed to the petition, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said there were «reasons to believe on the basis of material in possession» that Kejriwal was «guilty of the offence of money laundering».
«Sh Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister of NCT of Delhi, is the kingpin and key conspirator of the Delhi Excise Scam in collusion with Ministers of Delhi Govt, AAP leaders and other persons… Sh Arvind Kejriwal was directly involved in the formulation of the Excise Policy 2021-22.
«This policy was being drafted considering the favours to be granted to the South Group and was formed in collusion with Sh Vijay Nair, Sh Manish Sisodia and members representatives of the South Group,» said the response.
Kejriwal is involved in the use of proceeds of crime thus generated in the Goa election campaign of the AAP of which he is the convenor and the ultimate decision-maker, it added.
The petition is listed for hearing before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma on Wednesday.
On March 27, the high court had refused to grant interim relief to Kejriwal, saying the matter raised important issues that cannot be «summarily» decided without seeking the agency's stand and had asked the ED to file its reply to the challenge to his arrest and the subsequent remand to the ED's custody.
