Following reports of an intelligence warning regarding a potential threat to his life, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Chief Arvind Kejriwal remained unfazed and expressed confidence in divine protection. Speaking to the media ahead of filing his nomination for the Delhi Assembly elections, Kejriwal remarked, “Upar wala bachayega” (God will save me).
The threat was flagged by intelligence agencies ahead of the Delhi Assembly polls, but Kejriwal’s response was calm, focusing on his faith.
In a related development, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has authorized the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to initiate prosecution against Kejriwal and former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The prosecution is linked to their alleged involvement in money laundering related to the now-scrapped Delhi liquor policy for 2021-22.
The sanction order against the AAP leaders was issued earlier this month, marking a new chapter in the case. Despite being out on bail, Kejriwal and Sisodia, who were granted regular bail by the Supreme Court in September and August respectively, now face potential charges related to the liquor scam.
A special PMLA court in Delhi had previously delayed framing charges against Kejriwal after he challenged the decision, citing the absence of the necessary sanction for prosecution under PMLA.
BJP candidate Parvesh Verma took a jibe at Kejriwal’s comments and actions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Verma accused Kejriwal of focusing on his personal interests instead of addressing public needs during the health crisis.
“We all know the big sin Arvind Kejriwal committed. When COVID was spreading across the world and people were dying, he was busy making the liquor policy. When people needed medicines and houses, he was building his ‘Sheesh Mahal’ (palace). The person elected by the people of Delhi was building his own palace but did not provide essential medicines to the people,” Verma said.
The developments come as Kejriwal and his party face mounting political and legal challenges ahead of the upcoming elections.