Arvind Kejriwal Arrest: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was produced in Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on Thursday (28 March). The hearing on Kejriwal’s custody was held here. During this, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) demanded 7 days’ custody of the Delhi Chief Minister. ED had arrested Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Kejriwal on March 21 in a money laundering case related to the Delhi Liquor Policy issue. He was in ED custody till Thursday.
Former Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh are already in custody in the Delhi Liquor Policy case. AAP says that Kejriwal has been arrested as part of a conspiracy. The party is continuously alleging that his arrest has been made so that the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections Kejriwal can be stopped from campaigning. Kejriwal is currently running the Delhi government from ED custody.
Kejriwal has to face many people: ASG
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju and Zoeb Hussain presented arguments on behalf of ED. Ramesh Gupta gave arguments on behalf of Kejriwal. The ASG said that Kejriwal’s statement was recorded, but he was not answering the questions directly. The digital data found is also being investigated. Now Kejriwal has to face some more people.
The ASG, appearing for the ED, sought Kejriwal’s custody for 7 days and said that the ED has also issued summons to some people from Goa. Kejriwal has to face them too. Kejriwal has not yet given the password of the mobile and is saying that he will decide after consulting lawyers whether the password should be given or not.
I thank the ED officials: Arvind Kejriwal
At the same time, during the hearing, Arvind Kejriwal asked for permission to say something, which he got. Kejriwal said that I want to thank the ED officials that the interrogation took place in a very good environment. This case has been going on for 2 years. I have been arrested even though I have not been found guilty in any court. He said that if you read all the papers, you will ask why I was arrested?
No court has convicted me: Kejriwal
Kejriwal said that ED filed ECIR on 22 August 2022. I have been arrested. I have not been convicted in any court. ED has so far collected 31 thousand pages of documents. I am mentioned in only 4 statements. C Arvind’s statement is that some documents have been given in the presence of Sisodia. He said that MLAs and many people come to my house. How do I know what he talks about?
The Chief Minister of Delhi asked whether this statement alone is enough to arrest me. On this the court asked why are you not giving all this in writing? In response to this, Kejriwal said that I want to speak in the court. Kejriwal said that people are becoming witnesses and giving statements under pressure from ED.
Kejriwal received bribe amount: ED lawyer
Meanwhile, ASG SV Raju said that those who later took Kejriwal’s name have revealed the reasons for doing so. It is in the papers. Raju said that Kejriwal is the person in charge of Aam Aadmi Party’s affairs. You (Kejriwal) have received bribe money, which was used in Goa elections. We have witnesses that the money came from South Group. There is a series. He has not talked about that chain selectively.
ASG Raju said that if he is the CM then he cannot be acquitted. There is no separate standard for a CM. The right to arrest a CM is no different from that of a common man. At present, the decision on this matter has been reserved.
Also read: Delhi Excise Policy Case: Why was I arrested? Arvind Kejriwal spoke in court, thanked ED