CBI files fifth, ‘final’ charge sheet against CM Kejriwal
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday filed its fifth and final charge sheet in connection with its probe into alleged irregularities in the promulgation of the Delhi excise policy 2021-22, naming chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in the document, people aware of the matter said.
The people said that the federal agency’s inquiry into irregularities in the excise policy has concluded. “We have filed our final charge sheet in the excise policy case. The probe is now over. We will now push for an early trial,” an officer said, asking not to be named.
In the charge sheet, CBI also named Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Rajendra Nagar, Durgesh Pathak, who was the party in-charge for the Goa assembly elections in 2022 — when AAP allegedly received kickbacks as part of the purported irregularities. Allegations against Pathak include cash payments from alleged kickbacks made to people engaged in AAP’s Goa groundwork managed by him and AAP’s former media in-charge Vijay Nair.Responding to the development, the AAP in a statement accused the federal agencies of acting at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
“It is to be noted that CM Arvind Kejriwal has been granted bail three times by trial court, and the Supreme Court in the same case. The BJP and its agencies have been investigating this alleged case for two years… Yet, they have failed to find any evidence against the AAP and Arvind Kejriwal… This is yet another instance of the BJP’s witch hunt to implicate as many AAP leaders as possible,” the AAP statement said.
With the latest charge sheet, CBI has now charged 23 individuals, including former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and BRS leader K Kavitha. ED has already concluded its probe in the case last month, and has filed eight charge sheets against 40 accused.
CBI has termed Kejriwal as “one of the conspirators” of the case. “Arvind Kejriwal is one of the main conspirators of the criminal conspiracy in the commission of offences herein (referring to the liquor policy). It has been revealed that Vijay Nair, a close associate of Kejriwal, was contacting various liquor manufacturers and traders and demanding undue gratification since March 2021, for incorporation of provisions favourable to them in the upcoming Delhi excise policy 2021-22,” CBI had said last month, while seeking Kejriwal’s remand.