Arvind Kejriwal:- On April 16, 2023, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) grilled Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for 9 hours in connection with the excise policy case. The case pertains to the alleged irregularities in the excise policy of Delhi and the alleged misuse of funds generated through it. The case has been making headlines for quite some time now. In this article, we will discuss the top developments in the case so far.
Allegations against Arvind Kejriwal
The allegations against Arvind Kejriwal are that ₹100 crores of “kickbacks” generated in the scrapped Delhi excise policy were “used” in the 2022 Goa assembly election campaign of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Kejriwal. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed two chargesheets in the case and arrested a total of nine people.
CBI raids
On August 19, 2022, the CBI conducted raids at various places, including Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia’s residence, in connection with the excise policy case. The raids had sparked a political storm with the AAP accusing the central government of misusing the CBI for political gains.
What is the Delhi Excise Policy Case?
The Delhi Excise Policy Case is a corruption case that involves allegations of irregularities in the grant of licenses for liquor shops in the national capital. The case pertains to the period when the Congress government was in power in Delhi. The allegations came to light during the AAP government’s tenure in 2015, following which a probe was ordered.
Why was Arvind Kejriwal Quizzed by the CBI?
Arvind Kejriwal was quizzed by the CBI in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy Case. The CBI is investigating allegations of corruption in the excise department and Kejriwal was questioned in his capacity as the Chief Minister of Delhi.
Key Developments and Analysis
The CBI questioning of Kejriwal has been a major development in the ongoing investigation into the Delhi Excise Policy Case. Kejriwal’s questioning by the CBI has raised several questions about the allegations of corruption in the excise department and the role of the Delhi government in the matter.
While the CBI has not disclosed any details about Kejriwal’s questioning, reports suggest that he was cooperative and answered all the questions posed to him by the investigating agency. Kejriwal also took to Twitter to claim that he had answered all the questions and that the CBI had not found any evidence against him
ED summons Kejriwal’s PA
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had summoned Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s personal assistant Bibhav Kumar for questioning in connection with the excise scam on February 23, 2023. The development came days after the ED had summoned Kejriwal’s PA for questioning.
Kejriwal grilled by CBI
On April 16, 2023, the CBI grilled Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for 9 hours in connection with the excise policy case. The grilling sparked protests by the AAP with several top leaders being detained by the police.
Arvind Kejriwal Politics Career
Kejriwal is also the national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which he founded in 2012. Kejriwal is known for his anti-corruption campaigns and efforts to bring about social and political change in India. In this article, we will discuss Arvind Kejriwal’s political journey and the impact he has made on Indian politics.
He completed his schooling at Campus School in Hisar and later pursued a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. Kejriwal then worked for Tata Steel before joining the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) in 1995.
During his tenure as an IRS officer, Kejriwal was actively involved in social activism and worked towards empowering the common man. He also played a significant role in the implementation of the Right to Information Act (RTI) and was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Emergent Leadership in 2006.
Activism and the Anti-Corruption Movement
Arvind Kejriwal’s activism began during his time with the IRS when he saw first-hand the rampant corruption in the Indian bureaucracy. In 2006, he founded Parivartan, a non-profit organization that aimed to help people fight against corruption and bureaucracy in India.
In 2011, Kejriwal and social activist Anna Hazare launched India Against Corruption (IAC) movement, demanding the implementation of the Jan Lokpal Bill, an anti-corruption law that would establish an independent ombudsman to investigate corruption cases. The movement gained nationwide attention and support, with Kejriwal emerging as a prominent figure in Indian politics.
The Birth of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
In 2012, Kejriwal announced the formation of the Aam Aadmi Party, which aimed to bring about political change in India. The party’s primary focus was on anti-corruption and good governance, with the slogan “Paanch Saal Kejriwal” (Five Years of Kejriwal). In 2013, the AAP contested the Delhi Legislative Assembly elections, winning 28 out of 70 seats and emerging as the second-largest party.
First Stint as Delhi Chief Minister
In December 2013, the AAP formed the government in Delhi with the support of the Indian National Congress. Kejriwal was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Delhi, promising to provide clean and transparent governance. However, his first stint as the Chief Minister lasted for only 49 days, as he resigned from his post due to the failure of the Jan Lokpal Bill to pass in the Delhi Assembly.
Second Stint as Delhi Chief Minister
In 2015, the AAP contested the Delhi Legislative Assembly elections again, winning a historic landslide victory by securing 67 out of 70 seats. Kejriwal was once again sworn in as the Chief Minister of Delhi, and his government implemented several welfare schemes such as free electricity, free water, and free healthcare for the citizens of Delhi.
During his second term as the Chief Minister, Kejriwal faced several challenges, including a bitter power struggle with the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi and a strained relationship with the central government. Despite the challenges, Kejriwal’s government continued to implement welfare schemes and gained popular support.
Scrapping of the excise policy
The excise policy was scrapped in August last year and the Delhi Lieutenant Governor later asked the CBI to probe the alleged irregularities in the policy.
