Liquor Policy Case: Arvind Kejriwal’s ED Custody Extended

Delhi High Court has extended Enforcement Directorate custody of Delhi Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal till April 1 in the money laundering case related to Delhi liquor policy. The AAP leader was produced in the court on the expiry of the six days ED custody.

Arvind Kejriwal is currently in the lock-up of the ED’s Delhi office after his arrest on March 21 in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam. Yesterday, the Delhi Court declined the interim relief to Kejriwal and only issued notice on his plea challenging the arrest and remand. While requesting for the extension, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju told the court that the AAP leader has given evasive replies while questioning and the agency needs to confront him with some individuals who have been summoned from Goa.

ED has summoned AAP’s Goa unit chief Amit Palekar and some other party leaders for questioning. They are asked to appear at the agency’s Goa office today. Kejriwal is addressing the entire case called it a political conspiracy and said that there is no material against him. He also submitted that he isn’t opposing the remand. The Delhi chief minister further alleged that the central probe agency was collecting selective material and even the approver was forced to make a statement against him. Meanwhile, the central agency submitted that the Kejriwal has refused to share the password of his mobile phone to which the AAP leader replied that ED cannot force him to unlock his electronic gadgets.

When Kejriwal was given permission by the court to address directly, he made a brief speech in which he accused the probe agency of trying to “crush” his party. He also pointed out that the no part of the alleged Rs 100 crore in bribes had been recovered. He also said no court had found him guilty.

“I was arrested… but no court has proved me guilty. The CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) has filed 31,000 pages (of chargesheets) and ED filed 25,000 pages. Even if you read them together… the question remains… why have I been arrested?” Mr Kejriwal asked the court.