ED to probe ‘shell’ firms that donated to AAP
The Enforcement Directorate(ED) has registered a case against four shell companies that allegedly donated ₹50 lakh each to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in April 2014.
Officials told Hindustan Times that the case, which was registered last month, pertains to four cheques amounting ₹50 lakh allegedly given to the AAP during the 2014 Delhi assembly elections.
According to officials, the companies and their directors will now be examined by the probe agency.
Last year, Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing had registered a case of forgery, cheating and criminal conspiracy against the four companies .
The case had come to the fore when an AAP rebel group named AAP Volunteers Action Manch (AVAM) had accused the Arvind Kejriwal-led party of receiving funds from the alleged shell companies.
The AAP, however, described the development as another measure to ‘harass’ the party and the government. “AAP received the donations through cheque, which is a white transaction. The party adhered to all rules for
The case is another measure to harass the party and Delhi govt.
accepting donations by a political party. Details of all donations were also updated on the website, which is not mandatory. But we did it for transparency,” said AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj.
“Moreover, the prime minister himself mentioned about this transaction in his rally speech on January 10, 2015. However, nothing substantial has come out despite all agencies being at the central government’s disposal. The case is another measure to harass the party and the government,” he added.
Meanwhile, leader of opposition in Delhi assembly, Vijender Gupta demanded cancellation of status as a political party following registration of the case by ED. “It exposes their true character. It is a serious case of illegal political gratification and corruption in political donations,” Gupta said.