Some Goa AAP MLA candidates could be arrested by ED for receiving “proceeds of crime”?

NEW DELHI: After the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Delhi office was completely sealed off by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday evening,  sources claimed that at least two or three AAP Goa MLA candidates who received huge cash amounts during the 2022 State Assembly polls, could be called in for questioning by the ED. If they are not able to give convincing answers, they could also be arrested, the ED source said, adding that both AAP MLAs from Benaulim and Velim constituencies will be questioned by the ED. The ED has claimed that Rs 45 crore which were “proceeds of crime” in the Delhi Excise policy case were spent during the 2022 Assembly polls and everyone who worked for the party was paid in cash. The money was moved between states by angadias or couriers who function in a similar manner like hawala operators.

The Delhi High Court refused to give Kejriwal’s lawyers an urgent hearing and his application for relief is likely to be heard only on Wednesday or Thursday. The ED is likely to call in for questioning several Goa AAP MLA candidates and leaders who received monies in cash during the poll campaign.

While the agency confiscated some papers, two laptops and other digital devices from Kejriwal’s residence, the party office was sealed the next day after Kejriwal was arrested.

The ED has said its officers will question several present and past AAP leaders from Goa as it has alleged that Rs 45 crore from the proceeds of crime in the Delhi excise case were used by the AAP in the 2022 Goa State Assembly polls and payments were made in cash.

Statements of some Goa AAP MLA candidates (for the 2022 Assembly polls) and party workers were recorded in the weeks preceding Kejriwal’s arrest and according to media reports, one MLA candidate gave a written statement to the ED that all payments and polls expenses were made in cash. According to sources, one ex-AAP leader from Goa who was questioned earlier, has told the ED that huge amounts in cash were distributed to voters to “buy” votes during the 2022 polls.

The present AAP MLAs in Goa – Venzy Viegas of Benaulim constituency and Cruz Silva of Velim will be questioned by the ED and their statements recorded, as will all the other MLA candidates who has contested the 2022 polls on an AAP ticket, ED sources in Delhi said.

Kejriwal was remanded to ED custody for six days, until March 28, in connection with the Delhi liquor policy excise scam. The ED alleged that Kejriwal was the mastermind behind the scam, diverting funds to the Goa election campaign in 2022. According to the ED, Kejriwal solicited substantial bribes from stakeholders in the liquor policy, promising them undue benefits during the Punjab and Goa elections.