Delhi Elections 2025 Live Updates: EC Seeks Evidence from Kejriwal on Yamuna Poison Claim

Kejriwal Asked to Provide Evidence on Yamuna Poisoning Remark

Delhi Police registered a case on Wednesday after intercepting a vehicle labelled "Punjab government," which was found carrying cash, liquor, and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) pamphlets, an official confirmed. The vehicle, bearing a Punjab registration number, was stopped by the Flying Squad in New Delhi district, which monitors Model Code of Conduct violations during elections, including cases involving cash, liquor, and arms.

However, the Punjab government denied any links to the vehicle, clarifying that the number plate was forged and registered to a different car. AAP also dismissed the allegations, calling the incident a "fabricated stunt" and "completely baseless."

Delhi Police stated that legal proceedings have begun, and a case has been registered at Tilak Marg police station.

> "Upon searching the vehicle, we discovered cash, multiple liquor bottles, and AAP pamphlets," Delhi Police stated.

Reacting to the development, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva alleged that Rs 10 lakh in cash, liquor, and AAP election material were recovered, calling it evidence of corruption.

> "Until now, we believed Kejriwal institutionalized corruption in the Delhi government, polluted Yamuna, and degraded Delhi’s air quality. Now, we see he has corrupted the political system as well," Sachdeva remarked.

The Punjab government clarified that the seized vehicle’s number plate, 'PB35AE1342,' belongs to a Ford EcoSport registered in Pathankot three years ago, not the Hyundai Creta seized in Delhi. The registered owner is linked to the Army Dental College in Pathankot and is a resident of Maharashtra. Officials also noted that the intercepted vehicle lacked a High-Security Registration Plate (HSRP), which is mandatory for all vehicles.

> "We have reviewed our records and confirmed that the Punjab government neither owns nor has hired this vehicle," a Punjab government statement read.

AAP termed the allegations “completely fake and ridiculous,” reiterating that the seized car’s number plate does not match the official records.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has asked AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal to provide factual evidence for his claim that the Yamuna River was deliberately poisoned. The ECI instructed him not to conflate the issue of increased ammonia levels in the Yamuna with his allegations of mass poisoning, which he equated to an act of war.

Kejriwal has been given until 11 AM on Thursday to submit specific details, including:

- The type and quantity of the alleged poison

- The method of poisoning

- The role of Delhi Jal Board engineers in detecting contamination

Failure to respond with concrete evidence may lead to action against him.

AAP leaders have also announced a protest visit to the BJP headquarters on Thursday, carrying samples of allegedly contaminated Yamuna water from Haryana. The party claims ammonia levels in the river have reached 7 parts per million (ppm), posing serious health risks.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders have intensified their criticism of Kejriwal and AAP, with Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal accusing the Delhi government of failing to address worsening civic conditions in the city.

> "Delhi is in its worst condition ever—garbage piles up, roads are broken, and drains are overflowing," Maliwal said, vowing to take garbage collected from Vikaspuri to Kejriwal’s residence as a protest.

The controversy comes amid heightened political tensions ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections on February 5, with BJP leaders, including Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, ramping up campaign efforts while emphasizing the Modi government's infrastructure initiatives.