Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is scheduled to appear before Delhi’s Rouse Avenue court on March 28, marking the conclusion of his custody period in connection with the defunct Liquor Policy case, as per directives from the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
As the ED wraps up its proceedings, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is poised to seek Kejriwal’s custody in continuation of the ongoing investigation. This development follows the CBI’s earlier initiation of legal action, wherein an FIR was lodged against 14 individuals, including Delhi’s former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. Notably, Sisodia is currently incarcerated in Tihar jail.
Under the lens of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the ED has been actively investigating allegations of money laundering stemming from the now-defunct excise policy, set into motion on March 21. Following an extension granted by the trial court, Arvind Kejriwal’s ED custody was prolonged until March 28, a day subsequent to the initial remand.
This high-profile case has drawn significant attention, underscoring the complexities and legal intricacies surrounding governmental policies and their potential ramifications.
On March 28, the Delhi High Court declined to grant interim relief to Arvind Kejriwal, who remains in custody under the Enforcement Directorate (ED), issuing notice to the investigation agency and scheduling the plea for further deliberation on April 3. Kejriwal had lodged a challenge against his arrest in the High Court, seeking legal recourse in the ongoing case.
During proceedings, the ED informed the Rouse Avenue Court that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had purportedly gained advantages from the Delhi liquor policy, alleging that approximately ₹45 crore of these benefits were utilized for the Goa elections. These revelations have added a layer of complexity to the investigation, shedding light on potential misappropriation of funds and political implications tied to the case.
Amidst the unfolding legal proceedings, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has vehemently refuted the corruption allegations, dismissing them as fabricated and baseless. Asserting their stance, the party emphasized that Arvind Kejriwal will maintain his position as Delhi’s Chief Minister while they confront the accusations through the judicial process.
In a significant development on March 29, Sunita Kejriwal, Arvind Kejriwal’s wife, made a statement indicating that the Chief Minister would present vital information during the court proceedings on March 28, shedding light on the whereabouts of the funds implicated in the ‘so-called’ liquor scam. This revelation holds the promise of offering crucial insights into the ongoing investigation, potentially clarifying the circumstances surrounding the alleged financial improprieties.