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The CBI also pressed charges against AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak, Aurobindo Pharma's non-executive director Sarath Reddy, Buddy Retail director Amit Arora, entrepreneur Ashish Mathur, and hawala operator Vinod Chauhan without apprehending them.
The CBI asserts that the Chief Minister facilitated the irregularities by being the apex authority, alleging his direct involvement in the "scam." They claim he personally handed over the "draft GOM" (group of ministers) policy report at his residence to DANICS officer C Arvind. The IAS officer, who also served as secretary to former deputy CM Sisodia, provided a judicial statement affirming that the report was given to him in March 2021 after Sisodia summoned him to the CM's residence.
**Final Chargesheet Has 'New Evidence'**
The draft GoM report, the new excise policy, was allegedly manipulated to benefit the liquor cartel. The DANICS officer testified that AAP's communication in-charge had brought a copy of the excise policy to be entered into a computer while Kejriwal was present.
The final chargesheet contains new evidence, including details from an iCloud account. It alleges that a Bharat Rashtra Samithi MP and liquor businessman Magunta Reddy met with Kejriwal on March 16, 2021, at his office in the Delhi Secretariat. During this meeting, Reddy reportedly sought Kejriwal's support for his liquor business in Delhi by requesting modifications to the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22. The chargesheet claims Kejriwal pledged his support and directed Reddy to contact the accused, Kavitha, who was collaborating on the policy formulation. The CBI further alleges that Kejriwal instructed Reddy to provide financial contributions to his party, AAP.
The chargesheet also mentions that certain individuals involved in the liquor business in South India paid advance kickbacks amounting to approximately Rs 100 crore to AAP politicians and other public servants through co-accused parties. These kickbacks were allegedly paid to facilitate beneficial changes in the excise policy. The CBI claims these kickbacks were returned to some conspirators from the South lobby out of the profit margins of wholesalers holding L-1 licenses through various means, including the issuance of excess credit notes, bank transfers, and outstanding amounts left in the accounts of controlled companies.
Additionally, the CBI alleges that a cartel was formed between the three stakeholders of the now-scrapped excise policy—liquor manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers—by violating provisions. The chargesheet emphasizes that all conspirators actively participated in achieving the illegal objectives of the criminal conspiracy, resulting in substantial losses to the exchequer and undue benefits to involved public servants and other accused parties.
Citing statements from individuals engaged in AAP's campaign activities during the Goa elections, the agency claims cash payments were made to them for roles like survey workers, area managers, and assembly managers. These activities were collectively managed by Vijay Nair, who has been arrested, and Durgesh Pathak, an AAP MLA, also charged by the CBI.
Hyderabad-based businessman Sarath Chandra Reddy, arrested by the ED in November 2022, turned approver in June 2023 after being granted bail on medical grounds. He has also been charged.
Kejriwal was arrested by the CBI on June 26 from Tihar Jail while in judicial custody in a connected money laundering case filed by the ED. He was arrested by the ED on March 21 but recently granted bail by a trial court on June 20. However, the trial court's order was stayed by the high court. On July 12, the Supreme Court granted interim bail to Kejriwal in the ED case.
The excise policy was scrapped in 2022 after the Delhi LG ordered a CBI probe into alleged irregularities and corruption in its formulation and execution... read more
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