Just now- Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal custody extended till April 1

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal custody extended till April 1

On Thursday, a Delhi Court extended Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s custody to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) until April 1 in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam case involving money laundering. Kejriwal was arrested on March 21, and the extension was granted after his initial six days of ED custody expired. Special CBI judge Kaveri Baweja, presiding over the Rouse Avenue Courts, issued the order following Kejriwal’s court appearance. The previous day, the Delhi High Court declined to provide interim relief to Kejriwal, only issuing a notice in the matter.

ED want to confront him with individuals summoned from Goa

Additional Solicitor General SV Raju informed the court that the Chief Minister, during interrogation, was providing “evasive replies,” and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) needed to confront him with individuals summoned from Goa. Consequently, the ED sought an extension of 7 more days of custody. Raju emphasized that being a sitting CM did not exempt one from investigation, stating, “He doesn’t get exonerated if he is a CM. There is no different standard for a CM. Right to arrest a CM is no different from an ordinary man.” Additionally, the ED had recently summoned AAP’s Goa unit chief, Amit Palekar, and other party leaders for questioning.

Kejriwal personally addressed the court

Today, Arvind Kejriwal personally addressed the Court, stating that he does not oppose remand. He asserted that the entire case is a “political conspiracy” and claimed there is no material evidence against him. Kejriwal alleged that the central probe agency was selectively collecting material, and even the approver was coerced into making statements against him. The central probe agency submitted that Kejriwal had refused to share the password of his mobile phone. However, Kejriwal responded by stating that the ED cannot legally compel him to do so.

Disregard of summons in past-

Kejriwal had disregarded nine summons issued to him by the ED. Additionally, Aam Aadmi Party leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are implicated in the case and are presently in judicial custody. Following his arrest, Kejriwal promptly filed an urgent petition before the Supreme Court challenging his arrest. However, this petition was later withdrawn. Furthermore, he had previously filed a petition with the Delhi High Court (division bench) contesting the summons issued to him by the central probe agency. He has also filed an appeal…