CBI Files Chargesheet against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in Excise Policy Case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday filed a chargesheet against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other accused individuals in the Rouse Avenue Court in connection with the alleged irregularities in the now defunct Excise policy.

The CBI's chargesheet includes allegations of significant financial misconduct involving the Delhi excise policy. The CBI has labeled Kejriwal as "one of the primary conspirators" and has pointed to his association with Vijay Nair, the former media in-charge of AAP. Nair is accused of soliciting bribes from liquor producers and traders to influence the policy in favor of AAP.

According to the CBI, Nair demanded kickbacks to include favorable provisions for AAP in the excise policy starting March 2021. The agency has claimed that Kejriwal's cabinet later retroactively approved decisions made by former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia regarding the liquor policy. The chargesheet alleges that Kejriwal approved an increase in the profit margin for liquor wholesalers to 12 percent without justification.

The CBI also accused Kejriwal of being deeply involved in the conspiracy, asserting that all decisions made by the Delhi government were directed by him. Furthermore, the agency alleged that Rs 44.45 crore was transferred through 'hawala channels' to Goa between June 2021 and January 2022, funds which were purportedly used in AAP’s election campaign. This was part of a larger sum of Rs 100 crore in bribes reportedly received by the party.

This development comes amidst heightened legal scrutiny, including a Supreme Court decision granting bail to Kejriwal in a related Enforcement Directorate (ED) case. It also follows a recent decision by the Rouse Avenue Court to extend Kejriwal's judicial custody until August 8. The court also extended the custody of AAP leader Manish Sisodia and BRS leader K Kavitha.

AAP has criticized the proceedings, with party members alleging that Kejriwal is being treated as a “political prisoner.” AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak claimed that Kejriwal’s health has deteriorated significantly, citing that his blood sugar levels had dropped to dangerously low levels multiple times between June 3 and July 7. Pathak described the situation as a “conspiracy” against the Delhi Chief Minister.