KHALISTAN SLUR ON KEJRIWAL
Delhi L-G seeks NIA probe into allegation that $16mn was received in funds
The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Vinai Kumar Saxena, has recommended to the Union Home Ministry that a probe by the National Investigation Agency be instituted against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for allegedly receiving “a staggering amount of $ 16 million from Khalistani groups between 2014 and 2022”.
Saxena made the recommendation on May 3 on the basis of a complaint he received on April 1 from national general secretary of the World Hindu Federation India, Ashoo Monia, as also the printouts of social posts on ‘X,’ put out by a former Aam Aadmi Party activist, Munish Kumar Raizada.
The letter from Delhi L-G’s office said, “The complainant had referred to the contents of a video (in enclosed pen drive), purportedly featuring Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, (Khalistan terrorist and founder of banned organisation Sikhs For Justice)”, wherein he has alleged that AAP led by Arvind Kejriwal had received the funds.
Incidentally, Pannun, who used to organise referendums on Khalistan, has been in the news since last year when the United States had accused India of plotting to assassinate him through a hired hit man. The letter also noted that “it has also been alleged that a clandestine meeting occurred in 2014 between Sh. Kejriwal and proKhalistani Sikhs at Gurudwara Richmond Hills, New York,” and that during this meeting, “Kejriwal purportedly promised to facilitate the release of Devender Pal Bhullar, in return for substantial financial backing from Khalistani factions to Aam Aadmi Party”.
The L-G’s office also wrote that the complainant had also stated that Raizada had also shared on ‘X’ a picture of Kejriwal and Sikh leaders of a meeting that took place at the New York gurdwara in 2014.
The letter also pointed out in his X posts Raizada had confirmed apart from attending public meetings, Kejriwal held a closed-door meeting with pro-Khalistan leaders at the gurdwara. The complaint stated Kejriwal had also written to former President Pranab Mukherjee seeking clemency for Bhullar. The L-G’s office also attached a copy of a letter written by Kejriwal, addressed to one Iqbal Singh, in this regard. Singh was sitting on a fast then at Jantar Mantar seeking a written assurance on the release of Bhullar. This letter, dated January 27, 2014, mentioned that “Our government is sympathetic to the issue and would take all necessary steps to ensure full justice”.
It stated, “Delhi government has already recommended to the President the release of Prof. Bhullar and would be working on other issues including formation of SIT, etc.”
The L-G’s office said the complainant has sought a “comprehensive enquiry” into the allegations regarding funding of AAP by Sikhs For Justice. It added that since these allegations have been made against the CM and are related to the alleged funding of a political party, “the electronic evidences adduced by the complainant require investigation, including forensic examination.” Therefore, the letter said, the Lieutenant Governor has desired that the MHA may consider referring the matter to the NIA for conducting a “comprehensive investigation”. Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party has accused the L-G of “desperately trying to make headlines during election season”. Reacting to the L-G’s letter, AAP national spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj said on ‘X’, “this is complete misuse of constitutional office of LG.” He claimed a “PIL demanding high level investigation in the same matter was dismissed by the High Court two years back. The Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Navin Chawla rejected the plea filed by one Jagdish Sharma, stating that it is ‘completely frivolous’.”