Kejriwal Faces Scrutiny As AAP’s Alleged Ties With Khalistani Outfits Come Under Scanner: CNN-News18 Exclusive
Kuldeep Singh Dhillon (wearing a blue turban) seen with Arvind Kejriwal at a Gurdwara in an undated photo accessed by CNN-News18.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has recommended a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for alleged political funding from the banned terror outfit ‘Sikhs for Justice’ (SFJ).
This recommendation comes after LG received a complaint that AAP had received USD 16 million from the extremist Khalistani groups for facilitating the release of terrorist Devendra Pal Bhullar. The case stems from a meeting between Kejriwal and individuals affiliated with SFJ, including a man identified as former Gurudwara President Kuldeep Singh Dhillon.
Exclusive NIA Details
According to NIA details accessed by CNN-News18, Kejriwal’s encounter with Dhillon allegedly took place at a Gurdwara, where discussions purportedly revolved around funding for AAP elections and the release of Bhullar, a convicted terrorist.
“The person with the blue turban is former Gurudwara President Kuldeep Singh Dhillon. His brother Sukhjit Singh Dhillon left the US in 1990 to join the Khalistan Commando Force and was killed in a police encounter. Kejriwal had a meeting with them in Gurdwara to discuss funding for the AAP Elections. This was also about the Release of the Bhullar terrorist,” top sources said, referring to an undated and muffler-clad image of Delhi CM.
This is an alarming development SFJ has been designated as a terrorist organisation by the centre under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Led by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, SFJ has been accused of anti-India activities and is under scrutiny for its alleged involvement in acts of terrorism.
‘Big conspiracy’
Kejriwal’s NIA case has sparked outrage, particularly in light of his recent arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for alleged money laundering related to the now-defunct Delhi Excise policy. With Kejriwal currently incarcerated in Tihar jail, the allegations of political funding from a banned terrorist outfit have intensified the scrutiny surrounding his political career. AAP leaders have vehemently denied the allegations, dismissing them as part of a larger conspiracy orchestrated by the BJP to undermine Kejriwal’s electoral prospects.
Meanwhile, AAP supporters have rallied behind Kejriwal, decrying the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. AP leader and Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj termed it “another big conspiracy against Kejriwal at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)”. “The saffron camp is in panic due to fear of defeat. They will lose all seven seats in the national capital in the Lok Sabha elections.”
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