Delhi police files FIR against Arvind Kejriwal for alleged misuse of public funds

The Delhi Police has registered an FIR against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over an alleged violation of the Public Property Act. The FIR also names former MLA Gulab Singh and former Dwarka councillor Nitika Sharma. The case pertains to the alleged misuse of public funds for putting up oversized hoardings in Delhi’s Dwarka area.

The FIR was lodged following a directive from the Rouse Avenue Court, which, on March 11, had ordered action against Kejriwal and others for allegedly installing large banners using public money. The Delhi Police informed Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Neha Mittal about the registration of the case through a compliance report. The next hearing in the matter has been scheduled for April 18.

The complaint dates back to 2019, when allegations surfaced that Kejriwal, along with then Matiala MLA Gulab Singh and Dwarka A ward councillor Nitika Sharma, misused public money by placing oversized hoardings at multiple locations across the national capital. These hoardings allegedly violated municipal and advertising regulations and led to a legal challenge.

Following a prolonged legal process, the court found merit in the allegations and directed the police to file an FIR. The complaint alleges that these banners were put up without following the required advertising policies and were aimed at promoting the party using taxpayers' money.