[Excise Policy Case] Arvind Kejriwal Sent To Judicial Custody Till June 5 After His Surrender

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Kejriwal was presented before Magistrate Sanjeev Aggarwal via virtual conference. Delhi’s Rouse Avenue court remanded Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to judicial custody until June 5, in connection with the money laundering probe linked to the liquor policy case.

[Excise Policy Case] Arvind Kejriwal Sent to Judicial custody till June 5 after His Surrender

NEW DELHI: On Sunday (3rd june): Delhi’s Rouse Avenue court remanded Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to judicial custody until June 5, in connection with the money laundering probe linked to the liquor policy case. This decision followed Kejriwal’s surrender to Tihar Jail authorities after his 21-day interim bail expired.

Kejriwal was presented before Magistrate Sanjeev Aggarwal via virtual conference. Previously, on May 20, while Kejriwal was on interim bail, the Enforcement Directorate filed an application seeking a 14-day extension of his judicial custody.

Kejriwal’s legal representatives, Rishikesh Kumar and Vivek Jain, opposed this application, arguing that his arrest was being challenged before the Supreme Court.

Last month, the Supreme Court’s office declined to admit Kejriwal’s plea for an interim bail extension, stating that he could approach the lower court. Consequently, Kejriwal sought an extension of his interim bail and applied for regular bail in the Delhi court.

The Enforcement Directorate opposed Kejriwal’s plea for interim bail, asserting that the lower court could not alter the Supreme Court’s order for him to surrender by June 2. The agency argued that Kejriwal had to surrender before applying for interim bail.

“Arvind Kejriwal has been made an accused and since the cognisance is pending we are praying for judicial custody of him,”

Kejriwal claimed he needed more time outside jail for medical tests due to significant weight loss, suggesting a potential serious illness. However, the agency countered, stating his weight had actually increased by 1 kg, and accused him of misleading the court. They argued he could have undergone the tests during his interim bail.

“The investigation in this alleged liquor scam has been going on for the last two years, and there has been not a single penny of recovery from any of our leaders. They have put Arvind Kejriwal in jail without any recovery or evidence, and the people are taking note of it,”

On May 10, the Supreme Court granted Arvind Kejriwal interim bail until June 1 in the money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy. The court order prohibited Kejriwal from visiting the Office of the Chief Minister and the Delhi Secretariat. Additionally, the Supreme Court directed Kejriwal to surrender on June 2.

Background:

Arvind Kejriwal, the leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has challenged his arrest and remand by the ED in a money laundering case related to alleged irregularities in the framing of the Delhi excise policy for 2021-2022. The ED’s investigation stems from a case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2022 based on a complaint filed by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena.

It is alleged that AAP leaders, including Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, conspired to create loopholes in the excise policy to favor certain liquor sellers. Kejriwal was arrested on March 21.

This money laundering investigation is an extension of a 2022 case initiated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), following a complaint by Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. Allegations suggest a conspiracy by AAP leaders, including Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, aimed at manipulating the Delhi Excise Policy of 2021-22 to benefit specific liquor vendors.

During the legal proceedings on May 7, the Supreme Court hinted at possibly allowing Kejriwal interim bail, sparking discussions about the implications of such a decision, especially in light of the approaching elections. The ED, however, maintained that Kejriwal should not receive special treatment compared to other individuals facing criminal charges, simply because of his political status.