Arvind Kejriwal’s Custody Extended by ED Till April 1st in Liquor Policy Case
New Delhi, 28th March 2024: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s custody under the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has been prolonged until April 1 by Delhi’s Rouse Avenue court regarding the liquor policy case. The ED requested an additional 7-day remand, citing an ongoing analysis of data extracted from one mobile phone belonging to Kejriwal’s wife. However, data from the other 4 digital devices seized during the March 21 search, belonging to the chief minister, are pending extraction.
The ED sought an extension to confront Kejriwal with his party leaders summoned from Goa, alleging his involvement in demanding Rs 100 crore kickbacks from the ‘South Group’. They claim that the Rs 100 crore bribe received was used by AAP in the Goa elections.
Arvind Kejriwal, arrested on March 21, voiced his stance outside the court, denouncing the case as a political conspiracy. He asserted that the ED intended to undermine AAP and fabricate charges against him, particularly in connection with the withdrawn liquor policy case.
Maintaining his innocence, Kejriwal stated he does not oppose the ED’s remand petition and is prepared to stay in custody for as long as necessary. However, he stressed the baselessness of the case against him, alleging it was aimed solely at discrediting AAP. He accused the ED of operating an extortion racket under the guise of investigation.
In a related development, the ED interrogated AAP’s Goa unit president Amit Palekar and three others regarding a money laundering case. They were summoned for questioning in a case registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), reportedly linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam involving Kejriwal and other AAP leaders.
While specifics of the case remain undisclosed, sources indicate the questioning is part of the broader investigation into the alleged scam. Dattaprasad and Ashok Naik, leaders of the Bhandari community in Goa, were also among those questioned by the ED.
