Delhi Excise Policy Case: Kejriwal Sent To Judicial Custody Till April 15, ED Claims He Is 'Non-Cooperative'

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) sought a fifteen-day judicial custody for CM Kejriwal, citing his "non-cooperative behaviour" during the investigations.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. ( Image Source :PTI )

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday was remanded to judicial custody till April 15 in the excise policy scam case. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) sought a fifteen-day judicial custody for CM Kejriwal, citing his "non-cooperative behaviour" during the investigations. "Kejriwal's conduct has been non cooperative and he is giving evasive replies. The ED may require further custody in future," said Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, who representaed the central probe agency in the court. 

Excise policy case | Delhi's Rouse Avenue court sends Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to judicial custody till April 15 pic.twitter.com/EQhviDECmF

— ANI (@ANI) April 1, 2024

On March 28, the Rouse Avenue court extended Kejriwal's ED remand until April 1. 

Earlier on March 21, shortly after the Delhi High Court declined to shield Kejriwal from arrest, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) apprehended him in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case. Although the Delhi Chief Minister petitioned the Supreme Court to challenge his arrest, he later withdrew the plea and opted to contest his remand by the ED in the Delhi court.

Subsequently, a Delhi court ordered Kejriwal to remain in ED custody until March 28. During the proceedings at Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court on March 22, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, representing the ED, asserted that Kejriwal was the key conspirator behind the alleged irregularities pertaining to the scrapped Delhi excise policy 2021-22.

The Additional Solicitor General (ASG) informed the court about compelling evidence pointing towards purported irregularities in the excise policy, alleging that its funds were funnelled into the AAP's election campaign in Goa in 2022. Furthermore, Raju claimed that the proceeds of the alleged scam were illicitly transferred to Goa via the hawala.

Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, contended during the proceedings that there was a lack of direct evidence implicating Kejriwal in the purported irregularities, aside from some witness statements. Singhvi also asserted that these legal actions were aimed at undermining the AAP's prospects in the forthcoming elections.