The CBI on Tuesday informed a Delhi court that the money obtained from the alleged excise "scam" was utilized as per the desire of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who allegedly promised Rs 90 lakh to each candidate of his party contesting the 2022 Goa assembly elections.
CBI, in its argument before the special judge Kaveri Baweja, extended Kejriwal's judicial custody in the alleged corruption case till September 3.
The CBI urged the court to take cognisance of a charge-sheet filed against Kejriwal and others, stating, "Money has been spent according to the wishes of Kejriwal… the entire money was sent in the funds of AAP. He had promised Rs 90 lakh to be given to each candidate of each constituency and there are 40 constituencies in Goa."
The CBI further contended that Vijay Nair, a co-accused and ex-AAP communication incharge, was deputed by Kejriwal to negotiate a deal with the 'South Group', which includes BRS leader K Kavitha besides other businessmen and politicians. In return, according to the CBI, the 'South Group' provided kickbacks worth Rs 100 crore to the ruling AAP in Delhi in lieu of liquor licenses.
It also said that AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak was appointed as the party incharge for the Goa elections and money received through kickbacks was spent as per his directions, and all election-related transactions were done in cash.
The judge extended Kejriwal's custody after he was produced before the court via video conference since the judicial custody granted earlier expired. The court reserved its order on whether to take cognisance of the charge sheet for September 3.
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