In a courtroom drama filled with twists, the hearing regarding Arvind Kejriwal’s judicial custody in the liquor policy case unfolded with gripping revelations. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) injected intrigue into the proceedings by divulging the involvement of the Delhi Chief Minister in naming Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi.
Speaking on behalf of the ED, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju disclosed that Kejriwal attempted to obfuscate the interrogation by suggesting that Vijay Nair, AAP’s communication in-charge, reported not to him but to Delhi Water Minister Atishi.
Raju disclosed, “Kejriwal told during interrogation that Vijay Nair used to report not to me but to Atishi. Vijay Nair has been close to Kejriwal. Kejriwal said during interrogation that Nair did not report to him, he used to report to Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj,” shedding light on the dynamics of the alleged liquor scam.
These statements emerged during the appearance of the arrested Delhi Chief Minister before the Rouse Avenue Court after the conclusion of his ED remand.
Vijay Nair was AAP’s communication in-charge and was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on September 27, 2022, in the Delhi liquor policy case.
The agency remarked that Kejriwal had not explained why Nair, previously a key accused until turning into a government witness, had “more than 10 meetings… with co-accused persons involved in the liquor business.” The AAP chief “evaded” this and other inquiries, as asserted by the directorate.
“Kejriwal told during interrogation that Vijay Nair used to report not to me but to Atishi. Vijay Nair has been close to Kejriwal. Kejriwal said during interrogation that Nair did not report to him, he used to report to Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj,” ASG to the court.
The names of Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj surfaced for the first time in court proceedings, catching attention as both ministers were present during the courtroom revelation. This development adds a new dimension to the ongoing case, especially with other AAP figures like Sanjay Singh and Manish Sisodia already at Tihar Jail over alleged involvement in the liquor scam.
Arvind Kejriwal’s entry into Tihar Jail marks a significant moment as he joins his party colleagues in custody, following the court’s decision to remand him to 15-day judicial custody till April 15. It is worth noting that another AAP leader, Satyendar Jain, is also in Tihar Jail, albeit in connection with a separate money laundering case.
Adding to the complexity, AAP Rajya Sabha MP ND Gupta contributed a statement to the ED Excise Policy case, highlighting Atishi’s role as the election-in-charge of the party in Goa.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) pressed forward, producing Kejriwal in a Delhi court as his ED custody concluded on April 1st. The probe agency successfully secured judicial custody for Kejriwal, asserting his alleged non-cooperation by consistently responding with ‘I don’t know’ during questioning.
Kejriwal’s arrest on March 21, following his evasion of nine ED summons, underscores the gravity of the situation. Described by the ED as the “kingpin” in the case, Kejriwal’s remand was initially granted till March 28th and subsequently extended until April 1, culminating in today’s transfer to judicial custody.
The ED’s accusations pointed towards Kejriwal acting as the intermediary between the ‘south group’ and other implicated figures, such as former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia (arrested the previous year) and AAP officer Vijay Nair.
Notably, Atishi found herself unexpectedly drawn into the legal fray as her name emerged during the proceedings. The courtroom also saw the presence of Kejriwal’s wife, Sunita, and another AAP luminary, Saurabh Bhardwaj.
Alleging Kejriwal’s “totally non-cooperative” demeanour, particularly his reluctance to share his phone’s password, the ED advocated for his judicial custody.
“He did not reveal the password for digital devices… His conduct was totally non-cooperative. He is not giving his phone and deliberately misleading the investigation by giving evasive replies,” the ED told the court.
Responding to these developments, Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court, under the directive of Special CBI Judge Kaveri Baweja, remanded Kejriwal to judicial custody until April 15. During this period, Kejriwal petitioned for special dietary provisions and access to prescribed medications.
Additionally, he sought permission to delve into literary works, namely the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, and “How Prime Ministers Decide” by journalist Neerja Chaudhary, alongside retaining his religious locket.
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