Delhi Excise Policy: Court Extends Judicial Custody of Arvind Kejriwal till July 3

Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on Wednesday extended the judicial custody of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam until July 3, 2024.

The court also extended the judicial custody of another accused Vinod Chauhan.

Extension of Judicial Custody

Special Judge Nyay Bindu extended the judicial custody of both accused after hearing the submissions of Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) N.K. Matta and the Investigation Officer. The accused were produced before the court via video conferencing from Tihar Jail following the expiry of their judicial custody.

The court inquired about the necessity of the extension. Counsel for the Enforcement Directorate (ED) submitted that Vinod Chauhan received Rs 25 crore from the Personal Assistant of K. Kavitha through Abhishek Boinpally for the Goa election.

Investigation Updates

The Investigation Officer apprised the court that Rs 25 crore forms part of the Rs 100 crore money trail. Presently, Rs 45 crore of the money trail has been traced.

The Court observed that this implies 60 per cent remains untraced.

The IO further informed that an investigation is underway against Vinod Chauhan, who was arrested in May. A prosecution complaint against him will be filed by the end of this month.

The court was apprised that a prosecution complaint had been filed against Arvind Kejriwal on May 17. The matter is reserved for orders on cognizance and scheduled for listing on July 9.

It was also informed to the court that Chauhan is the individual who managed Rs 25 crore. The ED will file a prosecution complaint in the form of an eighth Supplementary charge sheet by the end of this month.

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21. A prosecution complaint had already been filed on May 17. In total, there are 38 accused in the ED case, including former minister Manish Sisodia.

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