Introduction
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday, did not present himself after the Enforcement Directorate had summoned him in relation to his role in the Delhi Excise Duty scam. He instead embarked on a public roadshow amidst growing doubts about his involvement in the ₹100 crore scam.
The Scam
The Delhi excise policy scam is a corruption case involving the framing and implementation of the Delhi excise policy for 2021-22. The CBI and the ED were both investigating the case and have made multiple arrests. The ED had summoned Delhi CM and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal in relation to the same scam. The CBI has alleged that the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22 was designed to favor certain private liquor traders in exchange for bribes. The ED has alleged that the proceeds of the scam were used to fund the Aam Aadmi Party conferences in Goa.
Ministers Arrested
Several high profile arrests have been made in connection to the scam. Manish Sisodia, the Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi and the then-Excise Minister, is one of the main accused in the case. He was arrested by the CBI on February 26, 2023.
Other politicians who have been arrested in connection with the case include:
Vijay Nair, a former AAP communication consultant
Abhishek Boinpally, a former AAP MLA
Sameer Mahendru, the owner of Indo Spirits, a liquor company
Kuldeep Singh and Narender Singh, former Excise Department officials
The accused have been charged with various offenses, including corruption, money laundering, and criminal conspiracy.
Kejriwal's Role
Kejriwal has previously been interrogated by the CBI who are also conducting a parallel investigation into the kickbacks on April 16.
The ED has alleged that the change in the excise policy and the alleged kickbacks could not happen without the knowledge of Kejriwal who is the head of Delhi government as well as of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). In a meeting that took place in Kejriwal’s residence, the margin for private players was increased from 5 to 12% so that 6% came as kickbacks to the AAP.
In another incident, jailed AAP communications in-charge Vijay Nair revealed that he arranged a video call between Kejriwal and Delhi based wine company IndoSpirits Group owner Sameer Mahindroo. In the call, Kejriwal assured Sameer that Vijay was ‘his boy’ and that he should trust him and carry on with the business. Sameer was also arrested in the same case.
Furthermore, the kickbacks received from the excise scam were utilized in the Goa campaigns of the Aam Aadmi Party. Kejriwal's role as the national convener of the AAP means that he would’ve definitely had knowledge of the misuse of the kickbacks for election campaigning.
Defiance
Amidst all this, Kejriwal has now refused to show up after the ED had summoned him on 2nd November. Instead, kejriwal proceeded to hold a public roadshow in Madhya Pradesh with Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann.
The disregard for a public agency is the lowest that Kejriwal could have scooped. His supporters have justified his disobedience by saying that he is prioritizing people centric engagements.
What Kejriwal and his supporters have forgotten is that democracy is all about accountability. If Kejriwal really cared for the public so much, he would’ve responded to the ED summon and given his statements. Instead he disobeyed the agency, setting a bad precedent for his subordinates to follow.
Democracy is all about accountability and transparency. If Kejriwal had indeed abused this trust between the people and the electorate, then he will face the consequences of his actions no matter how many roadshows he holds.
Comments