Arvind Kejriwal’ Career
Kejriwal is a former bureaucrat who turned politician and current Chief Minister of Delhi. Kejriwal’s political journey began when he joined Anna Hazare in 2011 for India Against Corruption movement. He founded the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to create a clean governance after getting inspired by the India Against Corruption movement.
Arvind Kejriwal’s Arrest
Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar had flagged gross violations in the new liquor policy in July 2022. A report by Naresh suggested “undue benefits “ to liquor licences. Rs. 144 crore rebate in liquor license fee was flagged by the officials during the Covid pandemic.
On the basis of above mentioned report, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena recommended a CBI probe into the matter. BJP then attacked AAP government. Delhi government in turn withdrew the new liquor policy. The result was closing of 400 newly opened stores. The sale of liquor was back under the control of government under a new policy is put in place.
Plea by ED
The High Court said the trial court will not be given effect till it hears the ED’s plea challenging the relief granted in the money laundering case. The ED mentioned its plea for an urgent hearing before a Bench of Justice Sudhir Kumar Jain and Justice Ravinder Dudeja. They said the case file will come to it in 10-15 minutes and after that it will hear the matter. High court said till then the trial court order shall not be acted upon.
Reply by Kejriwal’s Representative
Advocate Vikram Chaudhary claimed that the ED’s allegations were not backed by any proof and punched holes into their claims. “Is ED an independent agency or playing in the hands of some political masters? The ED draws all its conclusions based on hypothesis,” Chaudhary said.
“They say I am the national convenor of AAP and that’s why I am responsible for everything done by the party. There is nothing to show that Rs 45 crore was ever received by AAP. This is all in the realm of speculation, prejudices and beliefs. They are still arresting and evaluating but keep on making a statement that Rs 100 crore bribe was received,” Chaudhary further said.