'Kejriwal stayed in 7-star hotel on accused's expense': ED
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court that the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal stayed in a seven-star hotel in Goa during the 2022 state assembly elections. The ED alleged that Chanpreet Singh, suspected of managing illicit funds for the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) campaign, paid for these expenses. The apex court is hearing Kejriwal's plea for interim bail to campaign for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
Why does this story matter?
On March 21, the ED arrested Kejriwal—the face of the AAP—in a money laundering probe linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy. The case revolves around alleged irregularities and money laundering in the creation and execution of the excise policy. The agency has alleged that the AAP is a significant beneficiary of the illicit funds generated from the "scam." It has also alleged that the money was funneled into the party's poll campaign for Goa and Punjab.
Kejriwal's stay at seven-star hotel in Goa revealed
Additional Solicitor General SV Raju—representing the ED at Kejriwal's bail hearing—said that during the probe none of the evidence exonerated the AAP national convener. Talking about Kejriwal's stay at the luxury hotel, he said, "We have proof that hotel expenses of Arvind Kejriwal during Goa elections...it was a 7-star Grand Hyatt hotel in Goa." The ED also claims to possess evidence showing Kejriwal solicited ₹100 crore from businessmen as kickbacks for creating a liquor policy beneficial to them.
Supreme Court questions ED's investigation progress
The Supreme Court panel of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta questioned the ED on Kejriwal's lawyer's argument that he was not initially the main target of the investigation. Raju said, initially, the agency was not focused on Kejriwal's alleged role. It claimed the Delhi CM's alleged role became clearer when the probe progressed. Justice Khanna also noted it was not ideal for any investigative body to take two years to investigate a case.
