Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Sent To 15-Day Judicial Custody Over Liquor Scam Non-Cooperation

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was sent to 15-day judicial custody in a Delhi liquor scam. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has sought fifteen days of judicial custody for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, citing his alleged non-cooperative behaviour in connection with the liquor policy scam, as reported by ANI.

ED counsel SV Raju emphasized that Kejriwal failed to cooperate with the investigation by not providing his passwords. This request comes as part of the ongoing probe into the alleged scam.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, who was arrested in a money-laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy, was produced by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) before Delhi's Rouse Avenue court at 11 am on Monday as his custody ends on April 1.

Notably, Delhi CM has been granted permission by the court to meet his wife Sunita Kejriwal and ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bhardwaj before being transferred to Tihar Jail. Amid heightened security, Kejriwal will be escorted to the jail from the court.

During the court proceedings this morning, where Kejriwal was produced before the expiry of his probe agency custody, it was stated by the ED that he had been "uncooperative" and provided evasive answers. The ED informed the court that he did not disclose the passwords of his digital devices.

Kejriwal's lawyer has requested for some medicines and a special diet to be provided to him inside the jail due to his illness. Meanwhile, a PIL filed by the ED seeking permission to prevent Arvind Kejriwal from issuing directions from custody was disposed of by the Delhi High Court. The HC instructed the probe agency to present the matter before a district judge, as reported by Live Law.

Arvind Kejriwal was remanded to the ED custody until April 1 after being arrested on March 21 in connection with the case, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Arvind Kejriwal's Delhi Excise Policy Remand Ends Today

A petition has been filed by the Aam Aadmi Party national convenor in the Delhi high court challenging his arrest, alleging that the investigating agency infringed upon his fundamental rights. The ED has been served a notice by the court, requesting a response by April 2. The hearing is set to continue on April 3.

The hearing comes a day after top leaders of the INDIA bloc on Sunday came together at the 'Loktantra Bachao' (Save Democracy) rally at Ramlila Maidan in the national capital, the first such show of strength by the opposition after the announcement of Lok Sabha polls, and slammed the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal and former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren and gave a fervent call to the alliance partners to unite in national interest, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Top updates on Arvind Kejriwal's hearing in Delhi court

• The Rouse Avenue Court extended Arvind Kejriwal's Enforcement Directorate custody until April 1, citing "sufficient reasons" provided by the agency for further custodial interrogation on March 28.
• The ED stated that Kejriwal's statements were recorded over five days but deemed him "evasive" in his responses during the proceedings.
• Kejriwal addressed the court, arguing that only four statements were made against him, questioning the validity of his arrest based on such limited evidence.
• The court acknowledged the ED's need to confront Kejriwal with data extracted from digital devices and other pertinent details.
• At the hearing, Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj, and Gopal Rai were present, along with Kejriwal's wife and children.
• The ED requested time to file a comprehensive reply, alleging deliberate withholding of information by the defence.
• Sunita Kejriwal expressed concern over her husband's health and alleged harassment, stating his sugar levels were fluctuating.
• The Delhi High Court dismissed a PIL seeking Kejriwal's removal as Delhi's chief minister following his arrest.
• The US State Department's remarks on Kejriwal's case prompted objections from Indian officials, leading to the summoning of a senior US embassy official.
• Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson criticized the State Department's comments, labelling them unwarranted.