Apple Can’t Help ED Unlock Arvind Kejriwal’s iPhone

Investigators from the Enforcement Directorate, who have arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with a money-laundering case, have requested assistance from Apple to access his iPhone.

The ED seeks access to Kejriwal's phone to retrieve data pertinent to the Delhi excise scam. However, the Chief Minister is refusing to give his password, Indian Express reported citing sources. Kejriwal informed investigators that he no longer uses the iPhone he had during the drafting of the excise policy in 2020-2021; instead, he has been using a different phone for the past year and a half.

According to the report, the central agency has not uncovered any electronic evidence against the Chief Minister in the form of personal computers or desktops. Nonetheless, it has confiscated four mobile phones. During Kejriwal's arrest on March 21, approximately Rs 70,000 was found in his residence, left untouched.

Sources further informed the daily that Kejriwal stated during the questioning that the officers might gain access to the AAP's election strategy and pre-poll alliances through his iPhone.

Senior officials linked to the case said that the Chief Minister, during his questioning, has stated that by accessing his telephone data and chats, the ED would be privy to details of AAP's "election strategy" and pre-poll alliances.

However, Apple has responded to the ED that the password is necessary to retrieve the data from the iPhone.

Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 in connection with a money laundering case related to the excise policy.

The Chief Minister's plea challenging his arrest will be heard by the Delhi High Court on April 3.

In its application for custodial remand, the probe agency has accused the AAP leader of being involved in the entire conspiracy of the Delhi liquor scam, including the drafting and implementation of the policy, favouring and benefiting the quid pro quo recipients, and using part of the proceeds of crime generated from the scheduled offence in the election campaign for the Goa Assembly elections.