Spelling more trouble for the Aam Aadmi Party, the stalwart Punjab Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has been named in the second supplementary charge sheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED)  in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case. This comes days after the CBI named Manish Sisodia as an accused for the first time in its supplementary chargesheet filed before a CBI court in Delhi. Chadha has, as per the chargesheet, been named on a statement of former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia’s former secretary, C Arvind.

Arvind reportedly during the probe claimed that the controversial policy was agreed upon at a meeting held at the residence of his ex-boss’ residence with Raghav Chadha in attendance. It may be noted AAP supremo and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal too underwent marathon investigation in this case. According to C Arvind’s statement, the meeting was also attended by Punjab Excise Commissioner Varun Roojam, Vijay Nair, an accused in the case, and other officers from the Punjab Excise department.

Meanwhile, in a statement Chadha unequivocally denies commission of any alleged offence in any manner, in relation to the said meeting or otherwise. “News articles/reportage stating that I have been named as an accused in a complaint filed by the enforcement directorate are factually wrong, incorrect and appear to be part of a malicious propaganda to harm my reputation and credibility. There are no allegations whatsoever against me in the said complaints. It appears that in the complaint, my name is mentioned as an attendee to some meeting though the basis of making such an allegation is not clear”, he said.

It is alleged that the Delhi government’s excise policy for 2021-22 to grant licences to liquor traders favoured certain dealers, who had allegedly paid bribes for it, a charge strongly refuted by the AAP. The policy was later scrapped by the Delhi government. Chadha has been in news since last month after reports of his forthcoming marriage to Bollywood actress and friend Parineeti Chopra surfaced. Though spotted together many times, the duo have not yet confirmed anything.

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