Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal’s legal battle took a significant turn today as the Rouse Avenue court extended his custody in connection with the money laundering case linked to the liquor policy, famously known as the Delhi Excise Scam Case. The court ordered 15 days of judicial custody for Kejriwal on Monday, subsequently leading to his transfer to Tihar Jail.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials had initially arrested Kejriwal on March 21 in relation to this case. Following his arrest, the court had granted the ED custody for seven days, which was later extended for an additional four days. With the expiry of this custody term, Kejriwal appeared before the court today, where the ED did not seek further extension but urged for his transfer to judicial custody.
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing the investigating agency, expressed concerns over Kejriwal’s alleged lack of cooperation in the investigation. “The CM is not cooperating with the investigation. He is not answering the questions. He is trying to mislead the investigation. Until then judicial custody should be imposed,” argued the ED, a plea that the court endorsed.
Kejriwal, prior to entering the courtroom, commented on the situation, targeting Prime Minister Modi: “Prime Minister Modi’s actions are not good for the country.”
Notably, several other AAP leaders, including Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, and Bharata MLC Kavitha, are already serving time in Tihar Jail in connection with the same case.
