Kejriwal Arrested, Critics Say Opposition Targeted
NEW DELHI (IANS, Reuters) – Even as the issue of electoral bonds simmers and inquiries into it are getting a pushback from the BJP which is reported to have gained crores through the scheme, dozens of members of the opposition Aam Aadmi Party were detained in New Delhi and elsewhere on March 22 after the arrest of its leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
The ED, which arrested him after questioning him for two hours at his official residence, had sought 10 days custody, terming him the kingpin and the key conspirator of the alleged excise scam in collusion with other ministers of the Delhi government, AAP leaders, and other persons.
Now demands are being made by the Punjab state opposition BJP chief Sunil Jakhar to unearth the role of the ‘henchmen’ appointed by Kejriwal, including AAP Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha, where the party is in power.
Charges of corruption, critics say, have been leveled and acted upon only on opposition leaders: K. Kavitha, in Telangana and the daughter of the state’s previous chief minister KCR, is also being investigated on allegations of money laundering in connection with the investigation into the Delhi liquor policy and was arrested by the ED earlier. Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi were both questioned in 2022 by the ED, the financial crime agency which is investigating allegations of money laundering against the Gandhi family. Abhishek Banerjee, of the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, has been named and summoned by the ED in several cases. P.Chidambaram a former Union Minister was jailed and later let go when no proof was found.
Mohanan Nair
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If this person had no hand in the liquor scam, to prove his innocence he should have responded to the ED’s first summons in October ’23 and presented the documents/information desired by the investigating agency. This would have also helped the Court to consider the bail applications of those who are already in the jail since February ’23. His fear of arrest, if appeared before the investigating agency, indicated his involvement in the subject matter. Since October ’23, the ED is after him and he had ample time to appear and prove his position. At this stage, he does not deserve any sympathy. Politicians like him cannot take the State or country forward with freebies for votes and then embezzlement national wealth through corrupt practices.
March 22, 2024