Delhi LG Recommends NIA Probe Against Arvind Kejriwal Over 'Khalistani Funding', AAP Calls It Conspiracy

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Monday recommended an NIA probe against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for allegedly receiving political funding from banned terror outfit “Sikhs for Justice”.

Making his recommendation to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Saxena also said that since the allegations are against the CM, and are related to the alleged funding of a political party, amounting to millions of dollars, from a terrorist organisation banned in India, the “electronic devices adduced by the complainant requires investigation including forensic examination”.

The complainants referred to the contents of a video — in enclosed pen drive — purportedly featuring Pannun, wherein he has alleged that the Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party received a whopping amount of USD 16 million in funding from Khalistani groups between 2014 and 2022.

The complaint was made by Ashoo Mongia, National General Secretary of World Hindu Federation India, along with references of ‘X’ posts made by former Aam Aadmi Party worker Munish Kumar Raizada.

Raizada “wholeheartedly” welcomed the LG’s recommendation and told CNN-News18 that AAP leader Sanjay Singh used to frequently visit Canada.

Earlier Khalistani terrorist and SFJ leader, Gurpatwant Pannun had claimed that both Kejriwal and Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann went back on their promise of releasing his associates Jagdish Singh, Manjit Singh and Devender Pal Bhullar.

The three SFJ terrorists were arrested by local Police for their alleged association with the Khalistan Referendum.

It was also said that in 2014, an alleged secretive meeting took place between Kejriwal and pro-Khalistani Sikhs at New York’s Gurudwara Richmond Hills, where in exchange for Bhullar’s release, he asked for “substantial financial backing from Khalistani factions to AAP”.

Mongia said that the former AAP leader — Munish Kumar Raizada — shared a picture of the meeting between Kejriwal and other Sikh leaders on the erstwhile Twitter. His posts also confirmed that the AAP national convenor allegedly held public meetings as well closed door meeting with Pro-Khalistani leaders in New York.

KEJRIWAL 2014 LETTER OVER BHULLARS’S RELEASE

The LG’s recommendation letter noted the mention of Kejriwal seeking clemency for Bhullar from former President Pranab Mukherjee.

The Delhi CM, in a letter dated January 27, 2014, addressed to one Iqbal Singh said, “Our government is sympathetic to the issue and would take all necessary steps to ensure full justice…We will try to find the solutions soonest.”

“Delhi Government has already recommended to the President, the release of Prof. Bhullar and would also be working on other issues including formation of SIT etc., in a sympathetic and time bound manner,” the letter signed by Kejriwal read.

AAP’S RESPONSE

Reacting to Saxena’s recommendation, AAP Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said that this is “another big conspiracy against CM Kejriwal at the behest of BJP”. The saffron camp “is in panic due to fear of defeat”, Bharadwaj said, adding that they will lose all seven seats in the national capital in the Lok Sabha elections.

Bharadwaj also termed this to be a “complete misuse of constitutional office of LG”.

Taking to X, he said, “LG saab desperately trying to make headlines during Election season. This is complete misuse of constitutional office of LG. The PIL demanding high level investigation in same matter was dismissed by HC 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’,” Bharadwaj added.

AAP LINKS WITH SFJ ALLEGED IN 2022

Two years ago, in 2022, the then Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi had sought a probe into the alleged links of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) leader Gurpatwant Pannun and AAP leaders.

At the time, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had assured Channi that “no one will be permitted to disturb the nation’s unity,” adding that he will “personally look into the matter”.

SIKHS FOR JUSTICE

Sikhs For Justice, an organisation banned by the Indian government under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for its anti-India activities.

Formed in 2007, the New York-based organisation advocates for an independent Sikh state called Khalistan to be carved out of India.

The SFJ calls itself a human rights advocacy group, with offices in Washington, London and Toronto. Gurpatwant Pannun is the self-proclaimed general counsel of the outlawed organisation, SFJ.

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