CBI's big charge against Arvind Kejriwal: Deliberately tweaked ...

The CBI has claimed that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal deliberately tweaked and manipulated the now-scrapped liquor policy, causing windfall gains to the wholesalers in lieu of the "illegal gratification of Rs 100 crore from the South Group" to meet the election-related expenses of AAP for the Goa polls.

In its affidavit to the Delhi High Court opposing Kejriwal's bail, exclusively accessed by India Today, the CBI said the AAP supremo got the profit margin of liquor wholesalers enhanced from 5% to 12% without any rationale.

"Arvind Kejriwal is part of the conspiracy in the liquor scam. All Delhi government decisions were taken only as per his directions," the CBI said.

The probe agency, which is investigating allegations of corruption against Kejriwal linked to the liquor policy, arrested him from Tihar Jail on June 26.

The CBI claimed the ex-post facto approval to former Delhi minister Manish Sisodia's decisions on the liquor policy was given by the Cabinet headed by Kejriwal.

The probe agency also claimed Kejriwal's influence was instrumental in the denial of permission for an inquiry under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) in Punjab in connection with the case.

"Kejriwal's influence and clout is evident. He commands influence not only over the Government of GNCT of Delhi being the Chief Minister, but also over any or all relevant decisions and activities concerning AAP," the CBI claimed.

The CBI also claimed that Kejriwal had a close nexus with officials and bureaucrats. It also alleged that AAP leaders and Kejriwal's wife were peddling false narratives to influence witnesses and derail the investigation.

The anti-corruption agency said Kejriwal was non-cooperative and evasive throughout the investigation. It said Kejriwal's release on bail would "gravely prejudice the investigation and further proceedings".

"Kejriwal is accused of the commission of grave economic offences, which ought to be considered as a class apart," the CBI said while calling attempts made by the Chief Minister to "sensationalise" the case "unfortunate".