The Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal On Thursday appeared personally in the court and thanked the ED officials before beginning his address. He said that he wants to speak in the court and asserted that no court has proven him guilty till now. While speaking on his arrest he said actual money trail is Sarath Reddy giving Rs 55 crores to BJP via electoral bonds after arrest.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday informed the trial court that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is not cooperating in investigation and has not disclosed passwords to digital data.
The Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court on Thursday sent Arvind Kejriwal to 3 more days of the ED custody in connection with the Delhi Liquor Policy case till April 1.
As the Enforcement Directorate concluded its submission, counsel for Kejriwal said that the Delhi CM wants to address the court in person.
While speaking in court, Kejriwal said that the case has been going on for two years. "The CBI filed its case in August 2022. They have arrested me without any court holding me guilty or framing charges. The ED has filed almost 25000 pages till now and has gathered many witnesses."
The court asked Kejriwal if he could give all this in writing, however he insisted on speaking in court.
Kejriwal referred to the statements made by approvers in court. He started with C Arvind 's statement and said, "I am a CM, a lot of people visit me including ministers and they also whisper amongst themselves. Is such a statement enough to arrest a sitting CM? He asked the court.
ASG Raju appearing for ED objected on this. Kejriwal replied "Mr. Raju, I want your blessings, please let me speak."
The judge at this time said she will not allow more than 5 minutes to Kejriwal.
Kejriwal then said that ED's intention was to frame him and it kept recording statements till approvers did not speak against me.
While referring to Raghav Magunta's statement, Kejriwal said that he was released after his father changed his statement. He contended that five statements were recorded from him and after his father changed his statement in the court, he was released.
"Unke 5 statements hote hain, wo whi bolte hai Jo unhone bola. Jab unke pitaji statement badalte hain, uske baad unhe chord Diya jata Hain. Ye Jo 6 statements Hain jisme wo mere baare me nahi bolte Hain wo record pe nahi laya jaata hain," Kejriwal said in Hindi.
He asked the court that are these four statements sufficient to arrest a sitting Chief Minister? ED's counsels objected and said that Kejriwal is levelling allegations against the probe agency.
Kejriwal however said that Sarath Reddy donated 50 crores to BJP after being arrested. I have the proof that this is a racket to frame me.
"Money trail is established. He donated 50 crores to BJP after being arrested," Kejriwal told court.
He further said that the ED can keep him in remand for however long it wants.
Counsel appearing for Kejriwal said that ED should also investigate that.
ASG Raju said that persons who have later named Kejriwal have disclosed reasons to do so.
"All these submissions have been made before Delhi High Court. He wants to play to the gallery by making same submissions." ASG Raju said.
He further refuted Kejriwal's claims that relevant pages which favours him are in ED custody. "How does he know that they are in ED custody? All figment of imagination."
"He is the person in charge of affairs of AAP. AAP has received the bribe amounts which was used in Goa elections. Those money we have witnesses to say that they came from hawala from South Group. There is a chain. He has selectively not talked about that chain," ASG said.
Speaking on Kejriwal's claims on Sarath Reddy giving money to BJP, ASG Raju appearing for ED said, it has nothing to do with the liquor scam. "Because BJP or anyone else did not have the right to make this policy. We are not concerned with anyone paying any money to any person. That has nothing to do with the liquor scam."
ASG Raju further said that Kejriwal doesn't get exonerated if he is a chief minister. "There is no different standards for a CM. Right to arrest a CM is no different from an ordinary man."
He further told the court that 100 crores was given through hawala from South group to Goa elections.
The Delhi CM was arrested on March 21 and then remanded to the ED custody. The ED produced Arvind Kejriwal before Rouse Avenue Court today after his six-day custody ended and sought seven more days of custody. However, the court only granted three more days till April 1.