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In a shocking turn of events, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has demanded an anti-terror investigation into allegations that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) received funding from the banned Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) group, led by wanted terrorist Gurpatwant Pannun.
The allegations stem from a video in which Pannun claims that AAP received a substantial $16 million from Khalistani groups. The LG's letter to the Union Home Secretary also cites a complaint from a Hindu religious body and tweets by a former AAP worker.
Kejriwal is accused of promising to facilitate the release of Devender Pal Bhullar, convicted in the 1993 Delhi bomb blasts case, in exchange for financial backing from Khalistani factions. Additionally, the AAP boss is said to have received funds to promote pro-Khalistani sentiments.
The AAP has swiftly dismissed these allegations as a 'conspiracy' orchestrated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the ruling party at the center. Senior AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj accused the LG of being an 'agent of the BJP' and claimed that this was another attempt to discredit Kejriwal ahead of the upcoming Delhi general election.
These allegations come at a time when Kejriwal is already facing corruption charges related to the Delhi liquor policy scam. He has been arrested and is challenging his detention in the Supreme Court. The AAP has maintained that these charges are politically motivated and part of a BJP vendetta against the party.
The developments have sparked a political storm in Delhi, with the AAP and BJP trading barbs. The allegations have also raised concerns about the potential involvement of banned terrorist groups attempting to influence Indian politics.
The outcome of the NIA investigation and the upcoming Delhi election will be closely watched, as they could have significant implications for Kejriwal's political future and the broader political landscape in the national capital.
Source: NIA Probe Against Arvind Kejriwal? Took Khalistani Funds, Says Lt Governor