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Synopsis

The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi has extended the Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody of Delhi Chief Minister and accused in liquor policy scam Arvind Kejriwal for four days till April 1.

Following the expiration of the six-day remand granted to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Kejriwal was brought before the court today.

ED arrested Kejriwal on the night of March 21. On March 22, the court had approved a remand period of only 6 days for the AAP Party supremo, despite the ED's request for a 10-day custody.

Earlier in the afternoon today, Special CBI Judge Kaveri Baweja heard detailed arguments from both sides and reserved the order for later pronouncement.

ASG SV Raju for ED argued that in custodial interrogation, Kejriwal is giving evasive replies.

"Details were sought regarding financial statements however, Kejriwal has not furnished such details. So ED has asked concerned departments to provide the same," he submitted. 

He alleged that Kejriwal is deliberately not cooperating.

To this, court sought the statements that were recorded in the last seven days to be produced before it. 

During the proceedings, Kejriwal addressed the court himself, which was objected by the ASG. He said, "He wants to play to the gallery by making submissions himself...If you don't trust your lawyers, discharge them. There is a procedure in court sir, which has to be followed. There cannot be a separate procedure just because he is a CM. Why this special treatment?"

ASG continued that Rs 100 crores have been percolated through Hawala for GOA elections by South Group and there is a complete money chain. "Just because you make a statement saying you're innocent does not make a difference," he asserted. 

On the other hand, Kejriwal alleged that the real liquor policy scam began after his arrest by ED. He argued that ED only intended to arrest him, a sitting Chief Minister as the case had been ongoing for two years where CBI filed a case in August 2022, followed by the ECIR. 

"Statements were being made until they (MSR/ Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy) were not giving statements against me. This implies that ED's intention was to frame me," he submitted.

In the liquor policy scam, according to the ED, the illicit funds generated through the manipulation of the policy were utilized to finance the Goa Elections. The ED contended that Kejriwal acted as an intermediary between various parties, including former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and AAP officer Vijay Nair, facilitating alleged irregularities in the implementation of the liquor policy. 

Case Title: Enforcement Directorate vs Arvind Kejriwal