Delhi Liquor Scam: Court Sends Kejriwal in Judicial Custody till 15 April

A Delhi court on Monday sent Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to judicial custody till April 15 in a money laundering case related to the alleged excise policy scam.

The ED had sought 15-day judicial custody of Kejriwal, saying he was “completely non-cooperative”.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader was produced before a Delhi court on Monday as his already extended Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody was set to expire on April 1, 2024.

On March 28, Rouse Avenue Court special judge Kaveri Baweja extended his ED custody, saying there were “sufficient reasons”.

However, he allowed him to meet his family members and lawyers.

The investigating agency had sought seven more days’ custody of the Chief Minister. However, after hearing the arguments, the court extended the ED remand of the AAP supremo by four days till April 1, noting that there appeared to be “sufficient reasons” to allow her further custodial interrogation, especially Keeping in mind the arguments of ED.

The investigating agency said that it is necessary to confront them with the material collected so far and statements recorded during the investigation.

The court directed the investigating officer to ensure that further interrogation and confrontation of the accused is done without any delay.

Judge Baweja allowed CM Kejriwal to meet his family members, including his wife, daughter, PA and advocates.

Furthermore, the court had directed the agency to conduct the interrogation at a location with CCTV coverage and preserve the footage. The ED was also asked to provide necessary medicines to CM Kejriwal and get him medically examined as per law during the period of his custody.

ED had arrested CM Kejriwal on March 21 after interrogating him for more than two hours at his official residence in Delhi.

The ED has termed CM Kejriwal as the “kingpin and main conspirator” of the alleged excise duty scam in collusion with other Delhi government ministers, AAP leaders and other persons.

After the court’s decision, Kejriwal will be kept in Tihar jail. Recently, AAP leader Sanjay Singh was shifted from jail number 2 to jail number 5. Manish Sisodia is in jail number 1, while Satyendar Jain is in jail number 7.

Meanwhile, according to sources, BRS leader K Kavitha has been lodged in jail number 6. Tihar Jail has a total of 9 facilities, which can accommodate more than 12,000 prisoners.