The Enforcement Directorate on Monday questioned Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s personal assistant Bibhav Kumar and AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak in the excise-related money laundering case, officials said. His statement is recorded under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they said. Both have also been questioned previously in this case by the ED. Sources said Kumar’s questioning was essential regarding Kejriwal’s commitments. CM, 55, also AAP national coordinator, was arrested by the ED in this case last month. He is currently lodged in Tihar jail under judicial custody.
Arvind Kejriwal leaves the Rouse Avenue court last month. Image/PTI
The agency had alleged in its earlier chargesheets that at least 36 accused, including former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and Kumar, “destroyed, used or changed” 170 phones to conceal evidence of “bribes” worth thousands of crores in the country. alleged scam. The IMEI (international mobile equipment identity) of Bibhav’s mobile number is said to have been changed four times between September 2021 and July 2022, according to the ED chargesheet filed in a local court last year.
Bibhav Kumar, personal assistant to Kejriwal (right) Durgesh Pathak, AAP MLA
It is understood that Pathak, the 35-year-old AAP MLA from Rajinder Nagar constituency, was called by the agency for questioning in connection with the party’s 2021-22 election campaign for the Goa assembly elections. ED has alleged that AAP used bribes of Rs 45 million, out of Rs 100 million provided by the ‘South Group’, for this campaign. The agency claimed that the cash payments were made to people involved in campaign activities, managed by AAP members like Vijay Nair and Pathak.
AAP starts ‘Jail Ka Jawab Vote Se’ campaign
Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the AAP on Monday launched a “Jail ka Jawab Vote Se” campaign to seek public support for the party and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, who is currently lodged in Tihar jail. Addressing a press conference, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak said, “Kejriwal was arrested as part of a grand conspiracy. It is the first time that a sitting CM has been arrested during LS elections. “We are launching ‘Jail Ka Jawab Vote Se’ campaign and we want you to empower Kejriwal.”
BRS leader Kavitha denied interim bail
A court here on Monday denied interim bail to BRS leader K Kavitha in the money laundering case related to Delhi’s excise policy. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja dismissed the plea, saying it was not the right time to extend his release on interim bail. Kavitha had approached the court seeking interim bail, stating that his 16-year-old son has exams and needs “moral and emotional support” from his mother. The ED had opposed the submission, alleging that Kavitha destroyed evidence and influenced witnesses in the case. The agency had alleged that Kavitha is a key member of the ‘South Group’, which has been accused of paying the ruling AAP in Delhi bribes of Rs 100 crore in exchange for a large share of liquor licenses in the national capital. Kavitha, 46, was arrested from her Banjara Hills residence on March 15 amid protests by BRS supporters. Then the next day, she was sent to ED custody for seven days.
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