New Delhi: A day ahead of the Delhi Assembly election results, the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) launched an investigation into a bribery allegation against the former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and sent its team to his residence. However, officials were denied entry due to the absence of a legal notice, Kejriwal’s legal team said.
According to officials, the ACB initiated a probe after Delhi BJP leader Vishnu Mittal filed a complaint with Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena on Friday, seeking action over AAP’s allegations that BJP had attempted to buy its candidates. The LG directed the ACB to investigate the matter, following which an ACB team reached Kejriwal’s official residence at 5, Ferozeshah Road.
16 से ज़्यादा लोगों को तोड़ने की कोशिश की गई है। हमने एक फ़ोन नंबर का खुलासा किया है। हम ACB दफ़्तर में शिकायत दर्ज कराने जा रहे हैं।
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) February 7, 2025
ACB कार्रवाई करने की बजाय ड्रामा क्यों कर रही है? जांच के दौरान सारी बातें सामने आ जाएँगी।
जो नंबर ज़ारी किया है, मैं BJP के दलालों से कहना… pic.twitter.com/NhiV1M4UpM
However, the ACB team was not allowed inside as they did not carry a legal notice. Kejriwal’s legal team demanded a formal notice, after which the officials waited outside his residence. The ACB stated that an inquiry would proceed only after obtaining the necessary documentation.
Meanwhile, AAP MP Sanjay Singh, who first made the bribery claims, visited the ACB office, claiming to have evidence, including phone numbers from which alleged offers were made to AAP candidates. He questioned why the agency was targeting AAP instead of taking action against those making the alleged offers.
हमारे कई नेताओं को फ़ोन कॉल आए हैं। हमने वो फ़ोन नंबर भी बताया है जिससे फ़ोन आया था।
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) February 7, 2025
दुनिया जानती है कि बीजेपी कैसे काम करती है। ये उनके चुनाव प्रबंधन का हिस्सा है।
-@SandeepPathak04 pic.twitter.com/E1Wi2uKxg3
AAP vs BJP Over Bribery Claims
On Thursday, AAP MP Sanjay Singh accused the BJP of attempting to bribe its candidates, alleging that at least 16 candidates of AAP had received calls offering Rs 15 crore each to switch parties. Kejriwal also weighed in, claiming that a fabricated survey predicting BJP’s victory was being used to poach AAP MLAs.
“Why would they need to lure our candidates if they are winning 55+ seats?” Kejriwal wrote on social media, asserting that AAP’s candidates would remain loyal. He also held a meeting with all 70 party candidates at his residence.
मुझे कल फ़ोन आया था और कहा गया कि प्रवेश वर्मा ने फ़ोन मिलवाया है और आपसे मिलना चाहते हैं।
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) February 7, 2025
उन्होंने मुझसे कहा कि आप हमारे साथ आ जाओ। इसमें आपका फ़ायदा ही है। यह कॉल WhatsApp पर की गई थी।@mukeshahlawatap pic.twitter.com/Er0zwo6r5S
In response, BJP dismissed the allegations as baseless and a reaction to AAP’s fear of losing the election. Vishnu Mittal, in his complaint to the Lieutenant Governor, demanded an FIR against AAP leaders, stating that the allegations were an attempt to create panic and unrest.
#WATCH | Delhi: AAP MP Sanjay Singh says, " i have come here to file a complaint with our lawyer. bjp is indulging in horse trading and they have offered rs 15 crore each to our mlas and ministers. i am here at the acb office to file a complaint against bjp." pic.twitter.com/4h0ogGkRdR
— ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2025
Mittal argued that AAP failed to provide any evidence to support its claims, questioning the lack of details about who made the calls. The BJP has called for a detailed investigation, including summoning Kejriwal and Singh for questioning.
#WATCH | Delhi: AAP legal cell president Sanjeev Nasiar says, " it is very surprising. the acb team sitting here for the last half an hour has no papers or instructions. they are continuously talking to someone on call. when we asked for a notice or authorisation for… https://t.co/izZFWsKC5x pic.twitter.com/0EwqZASuzs
— ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2025
The ACB probe is ongoing, with further action expected in the coming days.
#WATCH | Delhi | On AAP National convener Arvind Kejriwal's allegation, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari says, " ... we are taking the allegations of horse trading seriously and the party would have already filed a complaint about it. what is the basis of these allegations? bjp will not… pic.twitter.com/8zInaiyHna
— ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2025
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