In a significant development in the Delhi liquor scam, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has claimed that two former Goa MLAs, who contested the 2022 Assembly elections on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) tickets, were paid in cash by the party for election-related expenses. The chargesheet alleges that AAP volunteer Chanpreet Singh Rayat facilitated these cash payments, sourced from ill-gotten money linked to the Delhi excise policy.
According to the CBI’s chargesheet, the two ex-MLAs, Mahadev Narayan Naik and Satyavijay Naik, were approached by Durgesh Pathak, AAP’s in-charge for the Goa polls and a Delhi MLA, to contest from the Shiroda and Valpoi constituencies. Both candidates reportedly expressed concerns over the lack of funds, but were assured by Pathak that AAP would cover all election-related expenses.
The CBI has further alleged that Durgesh Pathak took Mahadev Naik to meet Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who confirmed the ticket and promised full financial support for the election campaign. Statements from both former MLAs indicate that the expenses, such as fuel and vehicles, were covered by cash payments from the party.
Satyavijay Naik disclosed to the CBI that he received between ₹15-17 lakh in cash, delivered in instalments, for election expenses. The CBI also cites a meeting held by Kejriwal with AAP candidates in Goa, where he allegedly assured them that the party would handle all expenses, allowing candidates to focus solely on campaigning.
The chargesheet highlights a link between Kejriwal and Vinod Chauhan, another accused in the case, who allegedly transferred ₹18 crore in cash to Goa through the “Hawala” route. The funds were reportedly handed over to Rayat, who distributed them to various vendors to meet election-related costs.
This revelation comes as part of the ongoing investigation into the Delhi excise policy case, where ₹90-100 crore is believed to have been paid by the “South Group” to manipulate the excise policy. A total of ₹44.5 crore is alleged to have been sent to Goa for AAP’s election campaign.
The CBI’s chargesheet adds that Kejriwal and other key figures in the AAP were aware of the use of ill-gotten funds during the 2022 Goa Assembly elections, raising serious questions about the integrity of the party’s campaign.
