Arriving at the Enforcement Directorate office in Panaji on Thursday were Amit Palekar, the Goa chief of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Venzy Viegas, the AAP Benaulim MLA. Summoned earlier by the ED, Palekar, Ramarao Wagh, Datta Prasad Naik, and Ashok Naik, the president of Bhandari Samaj, were called to participate in the investigation concerning the Delhi Liquor Policy case.
Nevertheless, AAP sources have accused the ED of disseminating falsehoods. “The ED’s dissemination of falsehoods is evident. Dutt Prasad Naik and Ashok Naik are not affiliated with AAP but rather with BJP. Today, the ED has become a mere tool for BJP’s political agenda,” stated AAP sources.
In its remand application during Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest, the ED had previously alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is the primary beneficiary of the proceeds from the Delhi Liquor Scam. According to the agency, a portion of the illicit proceeds, amounting to approximately Rs. 45 Cr in cash, was purportedly utilized for AAP’s election campaign in the Goa Assembly elections of 2022.
The ED, in its remand note, further asserted that Arvind Kejriwal was deeply involved in orchestrating the Delhi Liquor Scam conspiracy, whereby the policy was formulated and executed to favor certain private individuals in exchange for kickbacks.
Meanwhile, in Delhi, the Delhi High Court issued a notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday in response to a petition filed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, challenging his arrest and the remand granted by the trial court. However, the court declined to provide immediate relief and scheduled the matter for April 3, stating that any release order from custody would effectively grant bail or interim bail to the accused/petitioner/ Arvind Kejriwal.
It is noted that the writ jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India is not typically considered a direct substitute for seeking bail under Section 439 of the Cr.P.C. The Delhi High Court is also set to hear a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking the removal of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal from his position on Thursday.
The bench comprising Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora is slated to preside over the matter. Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21 in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy case, which is linked to a money laundering investigation, and was remanded to the ED until March 28.
The case pertains to alleged irregularities and money laundering in the formulation and execution of the Delhi excise policy in 2022, which was subsequently annulled.
