Delhi liquor policy profits used by AAP for Goa and Punjab polls: Survey agency

New Delhi:

The Enforcement Directorate today claimed that it has uncovered a financial trail showing kickbacks worth Rs 100 crore received by the Aam Aadmi Party in the Delhi liquor policy case. The investigating agency has told a court that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is the “mastermind” of the corruption case.

The ED reasoned that the Delhi Liquor Policy 2021-22 provides a very high profit margin of 12 per cent to wholesalers and nearly 185 per cent to retailers. A key focus of the Delhi liquor policy case investigation is the alleged network of middlemen, businessmen and politicians, which the central agency has dubbed the “Southern Group”.

Here are the claims made by the investigating agency in court today:

– Arvind Kejriwal was the ‘mastermind’ and key conspirator in the case. “He was directly involved in the implementation of the policy and provided support to the Southern Group,” said SV Raju, deputy inspector general of the Enforcement Directorate.

– Arvind Kejriwal, while seeking custody, told the court that he had demanded Rs 100 crore from some of the accused in the ‘South Group’ for the Punjab elections.

– Delhi Chief Minister acted as a “middleman” between Southern Group and the accused in liquor cases, the agency said.

– Proceeds of crime include not only the Rs 100 crore bribe received but also the profit made by the briber – The investigating agency told the court that the proceeds of crime exceeded Rs 600 crore.

– “The Rs 45 crore received from the Southern Group was used by the Aam Aadmi Party for the 2021-22 Goa election campaign,” Mr. Raju said.

– The agency said the money reached Goa through 4 routes, hinting at hawala.