Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, was apprehended by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) following the Delhi High Court’s denial of his request for interim protection from arrest earlier today. In a recent press release, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has labeled Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as a “conspirator” in a case concerning the now-defunct liquor policy.
Allegations suggest that Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha, along with AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, colluded with Kejriwal to formulate this policy. The ED has referred to this collaboration as the “South Lobby,” purportedly designed to favor a liquor lobby from southern India in exchange for a hefty sum of ₹100 crore directed towards the AAP. Kejriwal’s involvement has been highlighted in statements from both accused individuals and witnesses, as noted in the ED’s remand note and chargesheets. After Hemant Soren of Jharkhand, second INDIA Opposition Block CM arrested by ED, Central Agency.
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The probe agency further alleges that Vijay Nair, a key figure in the liquor policy case, frequented Kejriwal’s office and purportedly boasted of discussing policy matters with him. Nair reportedly facilitated a meeting between Kejriwal and Indospirit owner Sameer Mahendru, with subsequent attempts made through video calls to solidify the relationship, where Kejriwal referred to Nair as someone he trusts implicitly. Additionally, Raghav Magunta, a primary figure in the “South Lobby” case turned witness, claimed that his father, a YSR Congress Party MP, met with Kejriwal to discuss details of the liquor policy.
Furthermore, revelations from Sisodia’s former secretary, C Arvind, suggest that in December 2022, he received a draft report from Sisodia regarding the policy, allegedly crafted in March of the previous year. Arvind claims to have visited Kejriwal’s residence at Sisodia’s behest, where he encountered Satyendar Jain and the aforementioned document. He expressed surprise at the proposal, asserting it had not been discussed in any official group of ministers’ meeting but alleged he was instructed to formulate a report based on it.
