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Synopsis

The Rouse Avenue Court, on Tuesday, adjourned CBI’s plea seeking remand of Arvind Kejriwal for 14 days in the case registered against him concerning the now defunct Liquor excise policy. The CBI presented WhatsApp chats among other evidence to show Kejriwal’s influence in extorting money from individuls in Punjab to fund AAP’s campaigning in Goa. 

Special Judge Kaveri Baweja adjourned the matter, to examine the evidence presented by CBI, for September 3, 2024. 

During the proceedings, the CBI Counsel detailed the alleged proceeds of crime. It was reported that Kejriwal's media manager had negotiated with the South Group, diverting funds collected from this group to finance the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) campaign in the Goa elections. The Counsel also indicated that Kejriwal had advised AAP candidates to focus on their campaigning, promising financial assistance.

Further, the Counsel also presented evidence that Kejriwal's co-accused, coordinated with the personal assistant of Ms. K Kavitha. It was alleged that the co-accused had pressured Mahadev Liquors to shut down, with WhatsApp communications and witness statements as supporting evidence. Additionally, the Counsel claimed that after AAP’s victory in Punjab, Amit Arora had directed or threatened individuals to pay kickbacks related to Mahadev Liquors, acting as a conduit for AAP.

The CBI’s case includes evidence of WhatsApp chats and other documents illustrating the alleged financial transactions from traders in Punjab and the South Group to fund the AAP’s Goa elections. 

The Rouse Avenue Court has scheduled the next hearing for September 3, 2024, at 2 PM.

Background: 

On August 23, the CBI informed the Supreme Court that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was central to formulating the new excise policy in collusion with his then-deputy, Manish Sisodia, in exchange for ₹100 crore from the South Group. The funds, received via Vijay Nair, were reportedly used in the 2021-22 Goa elections. These observations were made in an appeal filed by Kejriwal challenging the legality of his arrest by the CBI, claiming it to be an ‘insurance arrest’. The CBI strongly opposed the bail on the grounds that Kejriwal was pivotal in the formulation of the policy. However, the court rejected Kejriwal's additional prayer for interim bail. 

The ED also revealed to the Supreme Court that they had found personal communications between Kejriwal and Hawala operators. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Datta that while Kejriwal had destroyed several phones, evidence had been recovered from the hawala operators.

The federal agency defended Kejriwal's arrest, stating it was necessary due to his evasive and non-cooperative responses during his examination on June 25, 2024.

On July 12, the Supreme Court granted Kejriwal interim bail but expressed uncertainty about its authority to force an elected leader to resign. The bench left the decision to Kejriwal on whether to resign as the CM or not. 

Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 following searches at his residence, after the Delhi High Court refused to protect him from coercive action related to the excise policy money laundering case.