Kejriwal’s Legal Battle: Court Delays and Political Showdowns in High-Stakes Excise Policy Scandal
On Tuesday, a Delhi court scheduled a hearing for August 12 to decide whether to acknowledge a charge sheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The charge sheet concerns an alleged money laundering case linked to the excise policy scam. The CBI alleges that Kejriwal and others were involved in a scheme to transfer funds through various financial transactions illegally. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja postponed the matter as the CBI had not yet submitted the necessary supporting documents.
The CBI concluded its investigation into the Delhi Excise Policy scam and filed its final charge sheet on Monday against Kejriwal and others. This follows one main charge sheet and four supplementary ones previously filed, implicating former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Telangana MLC K Kavitha, and others.
Inquilab Zindabad!!
AAP Andhra Pradesh held a demonstration against the central govt for its atrocious agenda of harming CM Kejriwal's health in Jail.#INDIAProtestsOverKejriwalHealth pic.twitter.com/8U9ZFs2C6K
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) July 30, 2024
The CBI’s charge sheet details an alleged meeting between Kejriwal, TDP MP, and liquor businessman Magunta Sreenivasalu Reddy on March 16, 2021. This meeting is a crucial point in the case, as it is alleged that Reddy sought Kejriwal’s support for his liquor business by modifying the Excise Policy 2021-22. Kejriwal reportedly assured Reddy of support and directed him to Kavitha, who was working on the policy with his team. The CBI also alleges that Kejriwal requested funds for his political party, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
According to the CBI, liquor business figures from South India paid kickbacks amounting to Rs 90-100 crore in advance to some AAP politicians and public servants. These payments were supposedly facilitated through co-accused Vijay Nair, Abhishek Boinpally, and Dinesh Arora to influence the Excise Policy. The kickbacks were later returned via profits from wholesalers holding L-1 licenses using various methods, including excess credit notes, bank transfers, and outstanding amounts left in company accounts controlled by the conspirators.
The CBI alleges a cartel was formed among liquor manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, violating the policy’s provisions. This conspiracy allegedly caused significant losses to the exchequer and provided undue financial benefits to public servants and other accused individuals.
‼️Manipur Stands With Kejriwal‼️
Manipur locals protested against the conspiracy of the Modi Govt. to harm Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.#INDIAProtestsOverKejriwalHealth pic.twitter.com/lhX1xxYRRA
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) July 30, 2024
In response to Kejriwal’s arrest, senior leaders of the INDIA bloc, including NCP-SP Chief Sharad Pawar, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, and Congress leaders Gaurav Gogoi and Pramod Tiwari, gathered at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to demand his release. They demonstrated the strength of their collective voice against what they perceived as political persecution.
At the protest rally, Kejriwal’s wife, Sunita Kejriwal, criticized the BJP for its “politics of hatred” and alleged that her husband’s life was in danger in Tihar Jail. Yechury claimed Kejriwal was added to the CBI’s charge sheet to prevent him from getting bail. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut declared that the NDA government lacked the necessary numbers to survive and predicted its downfall, promising to show BJP leaders what true justice looks like if the opposition comes to power.
Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi stated that the BJP could not intimidate the opposition. At the same time, Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari called Sunita Kejriwal a “symbol of resistance” and condemned the inhumanity of keeping Kejriwal in jail despite his severe health issues. Akhilesh Yadav assured AAP supporters that his party stands with them and demanded Kejriwal’s release and the withdrawal of all cases against him.
RJD MP Manoj Jha emphasized the importance of public protest, urging people to take to the streets to defend democracy and the nation. He praised Kejriwal and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren for standing up to influential figures and called on citizens to continue their efforts to limit the current government’s power, highlighting the intensity of their fight for justice.
As the nation awaits the court’s decision, the struggle for justice and the fight against alleged political persecution continue, underscoring the profound impact of the impending judgment on the nation’s political landscape.