No evidence has been found so far regarding the horse-trading allegations made by AAP leaders against the BJP a day before the Delhi Assembly election results were announced, sources in the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) said on Monday.
The anti-graft body is also considering forwarding a complaint on the bribe claims filed by the Delhi BJP against AAP leaders — including national convenor Arvind Kejriwal — to the local police to take action against those allegedly spreading “rumours and misinformation”, sources said.
When contacted, Joint Commissioner of Police (ACB) Madhur Verma confirmed the development.
Last week, Kejriwal and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh alleged the BJP had embarked on ‘Operation Lotus’ in Delhi, and was seeking to bribe as many as 16 leaders of their party, offering each of them Rs 15 crore, to jump ship. AAP MLA Mukesh Ahlawat, who was stated to be among the 16 leaders, shared a mobile number on his X account. He said that he got the call from that number.
The anti-graft body issued notice to Kejriwal and Ahlawat to provide information regarding the allegations.
“Whether the tweet posted at the following URL of X (formerly Twitter), has been posted by you or otherwise?… Details of the 16 candidates for MLA of AAP who received phone calls regarding the offer of a bribe (sic),” the ACB stated in its notice.
It also sought details of phone numbers of people who approached AAP legislators; evidence and proof to support the claim or allegations of the offer of bribe; and to explain why “appropriate legal action should not be taken against persons spreading such information on media/social media platforms which is tantamount to create panic and unrest amongst the people of Delhi”.
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According to the AAP, a team led by an ACP-level officer reached Kejriwal’s residence but was not allowed to go in as it did not have any “official warrant” related to the enquiry.
According to sources in the ACB, investigators have “not found any relevant evidence” in connection with the allegations so far. “AAP leaders have failed to provide any proof or evidence that could corroborate their claims. Notices were served to Kejriwal and Ahlawat, but neither of them has recorded their statements so far,” an ACB source said.
Another source said a mobile number shared by Sanjay Singh has been verified, and it was found that the person was known to Ahlawat. The person recorded a statement before the ACB, telling them he knew Ahlawat beforehand and only called him back after receiving missed calls from the MLA. He also told the ACB he never made any offer to Ahlawat, the source said.
On Friday, the Delhi BJP wrote to L-G V K Saxena seeking registration of a case against AAP leaders, including Kejriwal, over the party’s allegation of the BJP approaching AAP MLAs with bribes.