In a significant development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is reportedly preparing to seek the custody of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal concerning the Delhi Liquor Policy case, following the conclusion of his Enforcement Directorate (ED) remand. Sources revealed this information on March 27, as Kejriwal’s current remand period with the ED is slated to end on March 28.
Arvind Kejriwal found himself under the ED’s arrest on March 21, linked to the allegations surrounding the now-nullified Delhi Liquor Policy. A day following his arrest, the trial court decreed his remand in ED’s custody up until March 28.
In a statement to the Rouse Avenue Court, the ED has posited that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Kejriwal, allegedly profited from the Delhi liquor policy, purportedly channeling INR 45 crore towards the Goa elections.
Facing corruption allegations, the AAP has strongly refuted these claims, asserting that the accusations are baseless and that Kejriwal will persist as Delhi’s Chief Minister while the party contests these charges in the judiciary.
In an effort to counteract his arrest by the ED, Arvind Kejriwal has petitioned the Delhi High Court. The court, overseen by Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, heard the plea, during which Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, representing the ED, requested a three-week extension to compile a comprehensive response to Kejriwal’s plea, citing that they had only received the petition the day before.
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During the court proceedings, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the Chief Minister, criticized the ED for its alleged procrastination tactics. Singhvi implored the court to permit him to present his arguments regarding the Chief Minister’s interim plea for immediate release, deeming the arrest and subsequent remand as “illegal.”
In a related note, Sunita Kejriwal, Arvind Kejriwal’s wife, announced on March 29 that the Chief Minister intends to disclose in court on March 28 the whereabouts of the funds associated with the purported liquor scam.
