The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has labeled Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as the "kingpin" in an alleged money laundering scheme related to irregularities in the 2021-22 Delhi excise policy. According to the ED, Kejriwal, also the convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), allegedly formulated the policy to favor certain individuals and demanded kickbacks from liquor businessmen. The federal agency contends that AAP benefited from these proceeds, which were purportedly utilized during election campaigns.

In a 32-page remand application, the ED accused Kejriwal of being "vicariously liable" for the offenses committed by the party, using his position as the Chief Minister of Delhi to facilitate money laundering activities. The court has remanded Kejriwal to ED custody until March 28.

Kejriwal's legal representatives, however, have denied any direct evidence against him and rebuffed the plea for remand, arguing that interrogation requests cannot be based solely on statements from accused individuals seeking leniency.

The ED alleges that AAP received approximately 100 crore in bribes, with Kejriwal purportedly utilizing about 45 crore of the alleged kickbacks in AAP's election campaign in Goa in 2022. Statements from individuals involved in the campaign activities purportedly reveal cash payments made for various roles, managed by AAP members Vijay Nair and Durgesh Pathak.

Furthermore, the ED claims to have recovered documents from Kejriwal's residence containing information about two senior ED officials. These documents allegedly suggest that information regarding the work of these officials was being gathered.

The agency asserts that Kejriwal was "intrinsically involved in the entire conspiracy," from formulating the policy to orchestrating the kickback scheme with the "South Group," and ultimately utilizing the proceeds in AAP's Goa campaign.