Arvind Kejriwal Summoned by ED in the Delhi Jal Board Case

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal as part of a money laundering investigation related to purported irregularities within the Delhi Jal Board

The Enforcement Directorate, a governmental investigative agency, has issued a summons to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as part of a money laundering investigation related to purported irregularities within the Delhi Jal Board.

The Aam Aadmi Party has characterized this move as a “backup” strategy aimed at hindering Kejriwal’s participation in campaigning for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. This development underscores the political implications surrounding the investigation and its potential impact on the electoral landscape.

Additionally, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a ninth summons to Kejriwal regarding the liquor policy case, instructing him to participate in the investigation on March 21. Kejriwal has previously ignored eight summons related to this case and had recently obtained bail from a Delhi court. This persistent summons highlights the ongoing legal pressure on Kejriwal and the significance of his involvement in the investigation surrounding the liquor policy matter.

During a press briefing, Delhi minister Atishi raised doubts about the intention behind these measures, stating, “The purpose behind this Delhi Jal Board (DJB) case remains unclear. It appears to be a contingency strategy aimed at detaining Kejriwal by any means necessary to impede his participation in the Lok Sabha elections.”

Regarding the DJB case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has alleged that funds acquired through corrupt practices in a contract issued by the Delhi government department were purportedly diverted as election finances to the AAP, the incumbent party in Delhi.

In February of this year, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at 10 locations associated with individuals affiliated with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as part of its money laundering investigation concerning the Delhi Jal Board. The searches targeted the residences of Kejriwal’s personal secretary, Bibhav Kumar, AAP MP ND Gupta, and former Delhi Jal Board member Shalabh Kumar, among others. These actions demonstrate the extent of the ED’s scrutiny into potential financial irregularities within the AAP’s sphere of influence.

The Enforcement Directorate has apprehended a former Delhi Jal Board (DJB) Chief Engineer and another individual for their involvement in a money laundering case linked to suspected corruption in the allocation of a project contract to a private firm. Identified as Jagdish Kumar Arora, the former DJB Chief Engineer, and Anil Kumar Aggarwal, they appeared before a special court on Thursday and were remanded to ED custody until February 5.

This marks the second occasion on which the AAP has faced allegations of receiving kickbacks. According to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), funds stemming from the excise policy of 2021-22 were allegedly utilized by the party to support its campaign efforts during the Goa assembly elections. The accusation adds to the existing scrutiny surrounding the AAP’s financial practices and their potential implications for electoral processes. It underscores concerns regarding the alleged misuse of government resources for partisan purposes, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability within political funding mechanisms.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation is said to stem from a case filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which contends that Arora granted a Delhi Jal Board (DJB) contract worth more than Rs 38.02 crore to NKG Infrastructure Limited, purportedly without meeting the technical eligibility standards. Allegedly, NKG Infrastructure subcontracted the project to Integral Screws, a sole proprietorship firm owned by Aggarwal.

Upon receipt of the funds, approximately Rs 3 crore was purportedly transferred to Arora through a combination of cash and bank transactions. According to The Hindu, the ED stated, “Bank accounts belonging to close associates of Jagdish Kumar Arora and their relatives were utilized to transfer the bribes. Additionally, a close associate of Jagdish Kumar Arora allegedly received the bribe in cash. “This elaborate scheme outlined by the ED suggests a complex web of financial transactions and alleged corruption involving multiple parties connected to the DJB contract.