Excise case: Money generated in 'scam' used as per wishes of Arvind Kejriwal, CBI tells court

On Tuesday, the CBI informed a Delhi court that funds from the alleged excise "scam" were utilised according to the directives of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who purportedly promised Rs 90 lakh to each candidate of his party for the 2022 Goa assembly elections. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) presented this claim before Special Judge Kaveri Baweja, who has extended Kejriwal's judicial custody in the case of alleged corruption until September 3.

What did the CBI reveal?

The CBI requested the court to review a charge sheet it has filed against Kejriwal and others involved.

"Money has been spent according to the wishes of Kejriwal, the entire money was sent in the funds of AAP. He had promised Rs 90 lakh to be given to each candidate of each constituency and there are 40 constituencies in Goa," the CBI told the court, which reserved the order on whether to take cognisance of the charge sheet for September 3.

Vijay Nair and his role

The CBI informed the court that Vijay Nair, a former AAP communication head and co-accused, was appointed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to negotiate with the 'South Group.' This group includes BRS leader K Kavitha, Raghav Magunta, Arun Pillai, Butchibabu Gorantla, P Sarath Reddy, Abhishek Boinpally, and Benoy Babu, all of whom are also co-accused in the case.

How was the kickback money used in the Goa elections?

The CBI alleges that the 'South Group' is a network of businessmen and politicians who provided Rs 100 crore in kickbacks to the AAP in exchange for liquor licences. The agency claimed that AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak was designated as the party in-charge for the Goa elections, and that the kickback money was used based on his directions. According to the CBI, all election-related transactions were conducted in cash.

Judge Kaveri Baweja extended Kejriwal's judicial custody after he appeared before the court via video conference, following the expiration of his previous custody period.

Inputs from PTI