New Delhi: A Delhi Court has decided to prolong Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s judicial custody until April 23 in light of the ongoing money laundering investigation linked to the now-scrapped liquor policy. Kejriwal, arrested on March 21, appeared virtually before Special Judge Kaveri Baweja of the Rouse Avenue Courts for the continuation of his judicial custody.
The Court cited the need to extend Kejriwal’s custody until April 23, aligning it with the conclusion of the judicial custody of co-accused BRS leader K Kavitha. Previously, Kejriwal, a prominent figure in the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), sought relief from the Supreme Court following a Delhi High Court ruling that upheld his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and subsequent detention in connection with the excise policy case.
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On April 9, the High Court dismissed Kejriwal’s plea for release and rebuffed his claims of political vendetta, especially with national elections on the horizon. It highlighted Kejriwal’s failure to respond to nine ED summonses over six months, undermining his position as Chief Minister and suggesting his arrest was a consequence of non-cooperation rather than political persecution.
In his appeal against the High Court’s decision, Kejriwal argued that the Enforcement Directorate lacks substantial evidence under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to establish his guilt. He contended that his arrest was primarily based on contradictory and delayed statements from co-accused turned approvers.
Kejriwal’s arrest by the ED on March 21 is part of an ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities related to the now-defunct Delhi excise policy 2021-22.
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