Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal on Monday strongly defended party leader Deepak Singla after the Enforcement Directorate arrested him in an alleged money laundering case, accusing the BJP of targeting opposition leaders who refuse to join the ruling party.
Claiming the arrest was politically motivated, Kejriwal said Singla had not been arrested for any wrongdoing but because he continued to work against the BJP and declined to switch sides.
“Deepak Singla has not been arrested because he did anything wrong. He has been arrested because he was working against the BJP and refused to join the BJP. Deepak Singla is brave and is fighting for the country,” the former Delhi Chief Minister said in a post on X.
The central probe agency arrested Singla following raids at multiple premises in Delhi and Goa linked to an alleged bank loan fraud and hawala network, officials said. The agency claimed searches led to the recovery of incriminating documents.
Singla had earlier faced ED action in 2024 as part of the same probe. He had also contested the Vishwas Nagar Assembly seat in Delhi on an AAP ticket.
The Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly, Atishi, also slammed the ED action against Singla.
“Today in our country, NEET exams are being leaked, the prices of petrol, diesel, and CNG are rising every day, and the rupee continues to weaken against the dollar. But PM Modi has only one job, filing false cases against opposition leaders and getting them arrested,” she alleged.
“On Monday, the ED arrested Aam Aadmi Party leader Deepak Singla because he was building an organisation in Goa to fight against the BJP. I want to tell PM Modi that no matter how many leaders of our party you arrest, we will continue working in the interest of the country,” Atishi added.
Senior AAP leader and Punjab in-charge Manish Sisodia accused the BJP of using agencies like ED, CBI and the Election Commission as party’s “personal goons”.
“By using institutions like the ED, CBI, and Election Commission as their personal goons, Modi Ji may be able to stop opposition leaders from winning elections. But he cannot handle the country’s economy or the falling value and dignity of the rupee,” Sisodia said.
Meanwhile, several AAP workers staged protests outside Singla’s residence after news of his arrest emerged.
Officials alleged that searches were conducted at properties linked to Singla and several suspected hawala operators in Delhi and Goa. According to the ED, officials suspect Singla handled hawala-based fund transfers for the Aam Aadmi Party between Delhi and Goa.
The agency further alleged that Singla, along with his uncle Ashok Kumar Mittal, brother Raman Singla and Harish Singla, defrauded Oriental Bank of Commerce of more than Rs 150 crore.
Officials claimed the money was allegedly routed through firms controlled in Singapore before being sent back to India through hawala channels and used in illegal activities. The ED said Singla was arrested under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in connection with the case.
– Ends
