Surat Hawala Investigation Could Reveal Names of Senior AAP Leaders
Police sources in Surat have indicated that the ongoing investigation by the Surat crime branch into an alleged hawala racket may bring to light the involvement of senior national-level leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The probe focuses on two AAP workers, Akash Mishra and Ajay Tiwari, who have been named in connection with the operation, which authorities claim was orchestrated by AAP leaders based in Delhi.
Details of the Alleged Hawala Operation
According to police officials, the investigation is examining whether funds routed to Gujarat were distributed to social media operators and YouTubers with the intent of creating an anti-government environment. A police official stated, "Mishra worked with AAP leader Satyendra Jain in the past. He travelled to many states, including Delhi, Haryana, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh, and was in contact with many senior AAP leaders. The money received by him was to be distributed to social media influencers and YouTubers. They were told to create an anti-govt environment and create rifts between communities so that electoral benefit could be gained."
Income Tax Department Joins the Probe
The income tax department has now joined the investigation to trace the cash trail involving Mishra and Tiwari. Investigators discovered that both individuals visited a Mahidharpura-based angadia firm five or six times, receiving amounts between Rs 15 lakh and Rs 20 lakh on each occasion. It was also revealed that the two were in contact with Gujarat AAP leaders. Mishra, who has roots in Delhi, completed his schooling in Surat.
Political Reactions and Allegations
Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi leveled allegations against AAP regarding the alleged hawala racket. He remarked, "The Delhi AAP leader's PA has come here and could be seen with bundles of cash as part of the hawala racket. This was going on for one year, with huge amounts received every month through hawala and given to YouTubers to create disturbance among communities. When people come to know the truth in the coming days, they will be shocked."
In response, AAP Gujarat president Isudan Gadhvi told mediapersons, "As the BJP is in fear of losing elections, it will keep conspiring like this till the election. If its leaders had worked for the people, they would not have had to see such days."
Historical Context: Similar Racket Busted in 2022
This is not the first such incident in Surat. In 2022, Surat rural police busted a similar racket during the assembly elections. At that time, AAP candidate Rajendra Solanki allegedly received Rs 20 lakh from Delhi via Ahmedabad. The matter came to light after two persons stole the cash from Solanki's car while his driver was transporting it. The driver had collected the money from an angadia firm. Following the incident, police checked several angadia firms, and AAP had denied the hawala allegations.
