Arvind Kejriwal Sent To 7-Day Probe Agency Custody In Liquor Policy Case

New Delhi: 

Arvind Kejriwal has been remanded to the custody of the Enforcement Directorate for seven days – i.e., till March 28. The order was passed late Friday by Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court, hours after the Delhi Chief Minister withdrew a Supreme Court plea challenging his arrest in the alleged liquor policy scam case.

The central agency had sought custody of Mr Kejriwal for 10 days, stating it needed time to complete its investigation and confront the Aam Aadmi Party leader with other arrested accused in the case.

In Friday’s hearing, the agency called Arvind Kejriwal the “kingpin” and “key conspirator” in the alleged scam, and in a claim seen by many as contradictory, also called him the “middleman” between the ‘south group’ and other accused, including ex-Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia (arrested last year).

Total proceeds of the alleged scam, the agency said, exceeded ₹ 600 crore; this includes ₹ 100 crore allegedly paid by the ‘south group’ the agency has claimed includes Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader K Kavitha, who was arrested last week.

Mr Kejriwal – the first sitting Chief Minister to be arrested, spent the night at the agency’s office – has denied all charges. The AAP has repeatedly stated the ED has yet to recover any of the alleged cash

In his first reaction since the arrest, Mr Kejriwal told reporters “my life is dedicated to the nation“. Shortly afterwards his wife, Sunita Kejriwal posted an appeal on X (formerly Twitter). “Your Chief Minister always stood with you.. whether inside or outside (jail), his life is dedicated to the country,’ she said.