Today(on 15th April),Delhi Court extends Arvind Kejriwal’s custody till April 23 in money laundering case, mandates video appearance.
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DELHI: Today(on 15th April),A Delhi Court, under the jurisdiction of Special Judge Kaveri Baweja at Rouse Avenue, has extended Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s judicial custody until April 23 in relation to the alleged money laundering case concerning the Delhi excise policy scam. Additionally, the court has mandated Kejriwal’s appearance via video conference on April 23.
On March 21, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) detained Kejriwal, asserting that he was the “central figure” in the money laundering case. This apprehension followed the rejection of his interim protection plea by the Delhi High Court. Subsequently, on March 22, Kejriwal appeared before Judge Baweja, who initially placed him in ED custody until March 28. Later, this custody was prolonged, and on April 1, Kejriwal was transferred to judicial custody.
The ED’s inquiry into money laundering originates from a case initiated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on August 17, 2022, concerning alleged irregularities in the formulation of the Delhi Excise Policy for 2021-22.
This investigation was prompted by a complaint filed by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on July 20, 2022. The allegations suggest the existence of a criminal conspiracy involving AAP leaders, including former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, and other undisclosed private individuals or entities during the policy formulation phase.
The conspiracy is said to have originated from intentional loopholes created or left in the policy, allegedly designed to benefit certain licensees and conspirators after the tender process. As part of the ongoing investigation, the ED has arrested several AAP leaders, including Manish Sisodia and Member of Parliament Sanjay Singh. However, Singh was granted bail by the Supreme Court on April 2.
Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest is significant as it represents the inaugural instance of a sitting Chief Minister in India being imprisoned while still in office. The ED’s initiatives have triggered a succession of legal disputes before the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court, alongside the proceedings conducted at the Rouse Avenue Court complex in Delhi.
Recently, the Delhi High Court dismissed Kejriwal’s plea challenging his arrest by the central agency and the trial court’s order to place him in ED custody.
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The extended judicial custody of Arvind Kejriwal indicates that the legal proceedings in the money laundering case are progressing. The investigation aims to uncover the alleged irregularities in the Delhi Excise Policy and bring to justice those involved in the conspiracy. The court’s decision to extend Kejriwal’s custody reflects the seriousness of the charges and the need to gather further evidence in the case.
