The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered an alleged Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act violation case against Aam Aadmi Party라이브 바카라 Durgesh Pathak and others, raiding his residence on Thursday.
“A CBI team arrived at my residence in the morning and conducted searches for 3-4 hours. They searched every corner, books and almirahs, but couldn't find anything,” Pathak said in a press conference today.
What have political leaders said?
Reacting to the case, AAP leader Atishi said that the move is “politically conspiracy” and that AAP always works with transparency, and the donations received by them have been rightly disclosed to Election Commission of India, Income-Tax Department and other institutions.
“I would like to tell the BJP that you have brought up this matter after many years. The AAP has replied to the CBI, ED, MHA and Election Commission on this issue. Such false allegations before the election will not be believed by people in Delhi and Punjab who are to vote,” Atishi said.
Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, said this case is about BJP라이브 바카라 “dirty games”.
"(Prime Minister Narendra) Modi has sent the CBI to the house of the party's PAC member and Gujarat co-in-charge, Durgesh Pathak... because Arvind Kejriwal sent him to Gujarat to strengthen the organisation before the Gujarat election," he told reporters, adding that earlier Kejriwal was put behind bars too as an attempt to stop AAP.
Pathak added that plenty of people visit his residence seeking help with their work, leaving behind photocopies of their Aadhaar cards. The CBI officials took custody of those photocopies during the search.
What is the case about?
Political parties are forbidden to take donations from foreign sources, as per the Enforcement Directorate documents from last year, The Hindu reported. They claimed irregularities during 2014-2022, ahead of Lok Sabha elections. The details of the CBI reports are yet to be revealed.
As per the said ED documents shared with the Union Home Ministry on October 27, 2022, and on August 4, 2023, the AAP had got donations from people in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Germany, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Brunei Darussalam; with identities of many donors concealed
The ED uncovered alleged irregularities while investigating an international cartel involved in smuggling heroin from Pakistan to India. During the probe, the agency conducted searches at the premises of former AAP MLA from Bholath, Punjab, Sukhpal Singh Khaira. Officials also seized documents reportedly detailing foreign donations.
