New Delhi, May 7, 2024: In a significant development, a Delhi court has extended the judicial custody of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) liquor policy case. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja of Rouse Avenue Courts passed the order, extending Kejriwal’s custody until May 20.
Background
Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, was arrested by the ED on the night of March 21. The case pertains to alleged money laundering connected to the liquor policy scam. The ED has accused Kejriwal of being the “kingpin” of the Delhi excise scam and directly involved in the use of proceeds of crime amounting to over Rs. 100 crores.
Legal Proceedings of Delhi High Court
On April 10, the Delhi High Court dismissed Kejriwal’s plea challenging his arrest. The court observed that the ED had sufficient material, including statements of approvers and evidence suggesting that Kejriwal received money for Goa elections. Kejriwal subsequently challenged the High Court’s order before the Supreme Court, which is currently hearing his plea.
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Involvement of Other AAP Leaders
Apart from Kejriwal, AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are also accused in the ED case. While Sisodia remains in jail, Singh was recently granted bail by the Supreme Court. The ED alleges that the excise policy was implemented as part of a conspiracy to provide wholesale business profit of 12 percent to certain private companies, even though such a stipulation was not mentioned in the minutes of meetings of the Group of Ministers (GoM).
Allegations and Coordinated Conspiracy
The ED contends that Vijay Nair and other individuals, along with the South Group, coordinated a conspiracy to give extraordinary profit margins to wholesalers. Nair allegedly acted on behalf of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia. The case revolves around the implementation of the excise policy, which the ED claims was designed to benefit specific private companies.
The Supreme Court’s ongoing hearing of Kejriwal’s plea will determine the course of further legal proceedings in this high-profile case. As the investigation continues, the political landscape in Delhi remains tense, with the Chief Minister’s custody extension drawing significant attention from the public and media alike.
Court questions ED’s delay in investigation
During the hearing, Justice Khanna asked Raju as to what was the first occasion when Kejriwal’s name came up during recording of statements. In response, Raju referred to the statement of Buchi Babu made on February 23, 2023. The same was however countered by one of the counsels appearing for Kejriwal, pointing to the statement of C Arvind made in November/December 2022.
At a later point in the hearing, when witnesses’ statements were being read out by ASG Raju, Justice Khanna observed, “this will show earliest moment in time you came to know about Kejriwal’s involvement was 12.11.2022”. He questioned the ASG as to why the agency delayed the investigation, when Kejriwal’s name came up much before the date of his arrest.
Justice Khanna also deprecated the agency for taking 2 years to investigate the case. “It is not good for an investigating agency to say that it took 2 years” to unearth a controversy, he said.
Conclusion
With judicial custody extended until May 20, all eyes are on the legal battle surrounding Arvind Kejriwal. As the case unfolds, it will undoubtedly have implications for both the political arena and the fight against corruption in the national capital.
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Nikhil Malhotra 
