The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of non-cooperation and attempting to mislead the investigation in a money laundering case related to the now-defunct Delhi excise policy. Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing the ED, informed a Delhi court on Monday that Kejriwal’s conduct during interrogation has been non-cooperative, citing an incident where Kejriwal allegedly claimed that Vijay Nair, a key figure in the case, reports to Atishi and not to him.
Raju stated, “Arvind Kejriwal’s conduct has been totally non-cooperative and he has tried to mislead the interrogation. He said Vijay Nair does not report to me but to Atishi. Kejriwal is not sharing the password for his phone.” These arguments were presented during a hearing regarding Kejriwal’s judicial custody.
Vijay Nair, the former communication-in-charge of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), is among the accused in the Delhi excise policy case, adding complexity to the ongoing legal proceedings.
During the court session, ministers from the AAP, including Atishi, Saurabh Bhardwaj, and Arvind Kejriwal’s wife Sunita Kejriwal, were present. Kejriwal’s legal team sought permission for him to read religious texts and have a special diet while in judicial custody. The Rouse Avenue Court subsequently extended Kejriwal’s judicial custody until April 15.
Kejriwal’s arrest by the ED on March 21 in connection with the case has drawn significant attention, with political reactions and debates intensifying. Speaking to reporters before entering court, Kejriwal criticized the government’s actions, stating, “Whatever the prime minister is doing (referring to his arrest) is not good for the country.”
The ED’s remand application accuses Kejriwal of being involved in the Delhi liquor scam conspiracy, alleging that he favored certain entities and received kickbacks, using part of the proceeds for political campaigns.
Reacting to the developments, BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi highlighted the gravity of the situation and raised questions about Kejriwal’s conduct and political affiliations. The court’s decision to extend Kejriwal’s judicial custody reflects ongoing legal complexities and the seriousness of the allegations against him.
Sources By Agencies
