The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday, March 22, accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of being key conspirator in liquor scam case along with other ministers and leaders of AAP. Seeking a 10-day custody, the ED told the Rouse Avenue Court in the national capital that Kejriwal demanded ₹100 crore from some accused from 'South group' for Punjab elections.
The ED said Kejriwal received several crores of rupees as kickbacks from 'South group' for formulating, implementing Delhi Excise Policy.
Kejriwal's lawyer Vikram Chaudhari told the court that the matter needs application of significant judicial mind as larger issues of democracy are involved. The ED has become judge, jury, and executioner, the lawyer said.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Kejriwal, told the court that the ED has shown a pattern — they arrest an accused, oppose bail till he turns approver, and agrees to testify against Kejriwal. He said general omnibus money laundering allegations are not enough for the arrest unless the money trail leads directly to Kejriwal. The court should not grant remand as a matter of routine, there must be some application of mind, he added.
Kejriwal was produced in the trial court shortly after he withdrew from the Supreme Court his plea against arrest by the ED in the excise policy-linked money laundering case. Kejriwal's counsel said he would contest the remand proceedings before the trial court and then come back to the apex court with another petition.
First Published: Mar 22, 2024 3:30 PM IST
