Leaders Online: After arresting Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) President Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday night in connection with the liquor policy scam, he was produced in the Rouse Avenue Court on Friday (22nd). The court has sent him to ED custody for six days till March 28 (Arvind Kejriwal arrest news). Kejriwal will now be produced in the court on March 28 at 2 pm. The hearing was held before Special Judge Kaveri Baweja. At this time, the ED had sought Kejriwal's 10-day custody in connection with the liquor policy scam.
Delhi court remands CM Arvind Kejriwal on ED custody till 28 March in excise policy case. pic.twitter.com/sfqPHw2Oe8
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2024
Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday night. He was produced in court on Friday. Kejriwal was arrested at 9.05 pm on Thursday. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju told the court that an application has been filed for his 10-day custody. At this time, Raju gave the Supreme Court a copy of Senthil Balaji case judgment to the court. He read out the relevant paragraphs of the judgment.
Kejriwal Liquor Policy Scam Mastermind, Read Arguments
Arvind Kejriwal is the mastermind behind the Delhi liquor policy scam. Raju argued that he was directly involved in the implementation of this policy. Vijay Nair lived in a house next to Kejriwal's house. He was the media in-charge of Aam Aadmi Party. He (Vijay Nair) acted as a mediator between the Aam Aadmi Party and the South faction, said Additional Solicitor General Raju.
'AAP used 45 crores obtained from liquor policy scam for campaigning in Goa'
In return for favoring the Dakshina group, Kejriwal demanded payment from them. Kejriwal demanded compensation from Dakshin Group in exchange for favoring them. Aam Aadmi Party used about 45 crores received from Dakshin Group for its campaign in Goa in 2021-22. SV Raju claimed during the arguments that the money came from Chennai and went to Goa. The court was told by the ED that Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal is not cooperating with the probe.
Money has to be traced- ED
The ED also claimed in the court that the excise policy was changed to fund AAP's campaign during the Goa elections. The ED demanded Kejriwal's custody saying that the trail of the money has to be found. In this case, there is a history of mass destruction of electronic evidence. The suspects destroyed and formatted a large number of phones. This made it very difficult for the investigating agency to investigate. Still, the investigative system did an amazing job of uncovering. He deliberately ignored the summons. Manish Sisodia has also been arrested for further questioning. They cannot determine the need for detention. When and how to arrest a person? Additional Solicitor General SV Raju said during the arguments that this is a matter within the jurisdiction of the Investigating Officer. Meanwhile, “whatever evidence there is, it has been given to the court.” He said this while leaving the court.
No evidence against Kejriwal, his arrest illegal- Singhvi's argument
Meanwhile, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared for Kejriwal. He said it was the first time in the history of India that a sitting Chief Minister was arrested without any evidence. Abhishek Manu Singhvi further said that there is no direct evidence against Kejriwal. With no concrete evidence in the possession of the Directorate of Enforcement, can Kejriwal be held guilty of the crime?. They have been illegally and arbitrarily arrested by the ED. Singhvi argued in the Rouse Avenue court. Four prominent leaders including Kejriwal have been arrested. This means you have a decision before the first vote, he added. Senior advocates Ramesh Gupta and Vikram Chaudhary also argued for Kejriwal.
Kejriwal's lawyer Vivek Jain said, “This is an illegal arrest, there is no evidence against him…”
Dedicated my life to country- Kejriwal
“Whether I am in prison or out, my life is dedicated to the country,” Kejriwal said while speaking to the media after his arrest.
What is the real issue?
The probe into the Delhi liquor policy case focused on an alleged network of middlemen, businessmen and politicians that investigative agencies have called the “South Group”. The ED alleged that the liquor policy was changed to help the “South Group” of companies and Sisodia took a lenient stance in their interest without any consultation.
ED has already arrested Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and other AAP leaders in connection with the liquor policy scam. 'ED' had so far summoned Kejriwal 9 times for investigation. He had filed a petition in the Delhi High Court seeking protection from ED notices and arrest. After the court rejected their petition, the ED team reached Kejriwal's residence at 10 pm with a search warrant and a notice. Kejriwal was interrogated for two hours before his arrest. His mobile phone was seized during the interrogation. He was arrested after interrogation.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren was also arrested by ED in connection with plot and land scam. After Soren, Kejriwal has become the second Chief Minister to be arrested in a scam case. Soren had resigned before his arrest. AAP leaders, however, clarified that Kejriwal will not resign and said that he will rule from jail.
Meanwhile, Kejriwal today withdrew his plea against the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) arrest in the Supreme Court. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who appeared in court on behalf of Arvind Kejriwal, told the Supreme Court that Kejriwal is withdrawing the petition in the Supreme Court.
#WATCH | Enforcement Directorate produces Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal before Rouse Avenue court following his arrest yesterday pic.twitter.com/HgpU6vIlm7
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2024
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