• ED accuses Arvind Kejriwal of being a 'Scam Kingpin': Kejriwal demanded 100 crore from South Group

    National
    ED accuses Arvind Kejriwal of being a 'Scam Kingpin': Kejriwal demanded 100 crore from South Group
    The probe agency said Arvind Kejriwal asked the "South Group" for bribes in return for favors.......


    Digital desk: The Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was placed into 10-day custody by the Enforcement Directorate, which informed the court that Kejriwal was the main conspirator and the "kingpin of the liquor policy scam". Additionally, the ED stated that Kejriwal, who was dramatically detained on Thursday night, had a direct hand in formulating the now-retracted alcohol policy. 

    Arvind Kejriwal, the first sitting chief minister to be arrested, was actively involved in the policy's creation, the ED informed the court. The ED's lawyer informed the court that "the policy (excise) was made in such a manner that it enabled the taking of bribes."

    Additional Solicitor General ASV Raju, representing the ED, stated that Arvind Kejriwal was the main organizer and driving force behind the Delhi excise policy fraud. The ED claimed that Kejriwal had constant communication with Manish Sisodia, the deputy chief minister at the time.

    According to the ED, Kejriwal had a direct hand in both the creation of the policy and the management of criminal proceeds. The ED said that the profits of the crime were utilized for Goa electoral campaigning. "We have traced the proceeds of the crime and taken statements of many persons involved in the Goa election campaign," said the Election Commissioner.

    The probe agency said Arvind Kejriwal asked the "South Group" for bribes in return for favors. As to the ED's legal representative, the liquor firms in Delhi were taken over by the 'South Group' in return for payments.

    The ED said Vijay Nair, the former head of AAP communications, served as a go-between for South Group and the AAP. Vijay Nair was residing in a home close to Kejriwal's home.

    The ASG went on to say that more than Rs 600 crore had been made via criminal activity. "Proceeds of crime is not only the Rs 100 crore bribe received, but also the profits made by the bribe payers, amounting to Rs 600 crore," ASV Raju stated.