New Delhi, Feb 06, 2024, 10:26 AM IST : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids on Tuesday at 10 locations connected to the personal secretary of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other individuals associated with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The agency initiated these searches as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation related to the Delhi Jal Board case.
The ED targeted premises linked to Bibhav Kumar, Arvind Kejriwal’s personal secretary, as well as Rajya Sabha member ND Gupta and others. The focus of the investigation revolves around financial transactions and potential money laundering activities.
Reacting to the raids, AAP leader Atishi accused the BJP government of attempting to intimidate AAP leaders. She asserted, “To stop this exposé and scare the AAP, ED has been conducting raids since 7 am in the morning against AAP leaders and workers.”
Atishi further mentioned that there were reports suggesting the ED would continue its raids throughout the day against AAP leaders. According to her, this action by the BJP-led central government is an attempt to intimidate the AAP using investigative agencies.
In connection with the money laundering case, the ED had previously arrested the former chief engineer of the Jal Board under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) last month. A businessman was also arrested on similar charges.
The ED’s allegations stem from the actions of Jagdish Kumar Arora, the former chief engineer of the Delhi Jal Board. Arora allegedly awarded a contract to NKG Infrastructure Ltd. for the supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of electromagnetic flow meters, totaling ₹38 crore. The ED claims that the company did not meet the technical eligibility criteria, and the bidding process involved forged or false documents.
Further investigation revealed that NKG Infrastructure Ltd. subcontracted the work to Integral Screws Ltd., a company owned by Anil Kumar Aggarwal. Aggarwal allegedly transferred approximately ₹3 crore as a bribe to Jagdish Kumar Arora through various means, including cash and bank transactions. Bank accounts associated with Arora’s associates and relatives were allegedly utilized to facilitate these illicit transactions.
As the ED continues its probe, the AAP remains defiant, asserting that the investigations are politically motivated. The unfolding events will likely draw increased attention in the coming days as the legal proceedings progress.
