Kejriwal appears in court, probe agency may seek 10-day detention

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal (file photo).

New Delhi:

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was the “mastermind” and “major conspirator” in the capital’s alleged liquor policy scam, the Enforcement Directorate said at the city’s Rouse Avenue court on Friday afternoon and advocated for the 10-day detention of Aam Aadmi, the party boss.

The agency alleged that Kejriwal was the middleman between the “South Group” and other accused, including former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia (arrested last year) and AAP official Vijay Vijay Nair.

The agency said the total proceeds from the alleged scam were over Rs 600 crore; including Rs 100 crore allegedly paid by a “Southern group” which it claimed included Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader K Kavitha, who was arrested last week.

Mr Kejriwal, the first sitting chief minister to be arrested, has denied all charges. His party has repeatedly claimed that the school board has not recovered any of the allegedly illegally obtained cash. The chief minister, who is staying overnight at the agency’s office, will be represented by senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi.

What did ED say?

SV Raju, deputy inspector general of the Enforcement Directorate, said: “He was directly involved in the implementation of the policy and favored the Southern Group. He demanded kickbacks in exchange for favors… This is corroborated by the statement. “He was involved in the use of proceeds of crime. “

The education ministry claimed that Rs 45 crore of the kickback was used to fund AAP’s 2022 elections in Goa and Punjab. The 6.8% vote share in the former confirmed the AAP’s status as a national party, while its defeat of the Congress in the latter allowed it to win the election. Establishment of first state government outside Delhi.

Read | Liquor policy profits for Goa, Punjab polls: Survey agency

“We checked the source of funds. Money from Goa was flowing in through four channels. The allegations were also confirmed by a candidate of AAP… The person was paid in cash…”

The probe agency concluded by calling Kejriwal the “brain behind the party” and held the chief minister accountable for all affairs of the AAP. Mr Raju also criticized the Chief Minister for skipping nine Education Ministry summonses; “…he deliberately disobeyed the summons…” he said.

On Mr Nair’s role, the Solicitor General said, “He lived in a house given to Kailash Gehlot (Delhi Transport Minister) and acted as a go-between between Southern Group and AAP.”

What did Arvind Kejriwal say?

Singhvi told the court that there was no need for the Enforcement Directorate to arrest Kejriwal.

“The first is the need to arrest… Power to arrest does not equate to need. Just because you have the power to arrest someone does not mean you should…” he argued, adding what the central agency said about tracing funds further ” It cannot be grounds for arrest…it can be grounds for interrogation”.

“There is a new pattern… you have a witness who does not mention Kejriwal’s name in the first or second statement. You arrest him, strongly oppose bail… and then He turned pro and one fine day he gave a brilliant statement…” Mr. Singhvi said.

“You have to show how I was involved in this,” he said, raising serious questions over the ED’s argument for arresting and seeking the detention of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Kejriwal withdraws plea in Supreme Court

Hours ago, Kejriwal’s legal team withdrew its plea challenging his arrest in the Supreme Court; this came soon after the Supreme Court dismissed the same plea of ​​BRS’s K Kavitha. In fact, the same judge who told Ms Kavitha to go to the lower court was also scheduled to hear Mr Kejriwal’s plea.

Read | Kejriwal withdraws petition from Supreme Court, moves to lower courts

In light of the court’s reaction to Ms Kavitha’s petition, Mr Kejriwal’s legal team said it had withdrawn its plea as it did not expect a positive response. Sources said the team believed that since Mr Kejriwal had already been arrested, the court said in the BRS leader’s case that “…just because you have the means (power and/or money), we can’t entertain you”.

Read | Supreme Court refuses to entertain BRS leader K Kavitha’s petition

“We are withdrawing the petition (from the Supreme Court) as it conflicts with the remand. We will argue on the remand and then come back here…” Mr Singhvi told the Supreme Court.

Will Kejriwal continue as chief minister?

Meanwhile, sources within Kejriwal’s legal team say there is no reason why the AAP boss – whose arrest weeks before the election sparked fierce protests across the country – cannot continue as Delhi chief minister. Sources said Kejriwal was not convicted but merely charged.

Live Report | Arvind Kejriwal withdraws petition, AAP minister detained

The AAP insists that Kejriwal will serve as head of the government no matter what, even if it means doing so inside the city’s Tihar Jail. Under current guidelines, this may be difficult as Mr Kejriwal can only hold two meetings a week.

Read | Can Kejriwal serve as chief minister from jail?What do the rules say?

However, a former prison official told New Delhi TV there was an option. This will involve house arrest, confinement to his residence after Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena allowed recognition of the building as a prison.

Arvind Kejriwal arrested

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on Thursday night, hours after the Delhi High Court refused to grant him protection from arrest. A team of 12 officials rushed to his residence, questioned him and seized documents and other materials before arresting the three-time chief minister at 9 pm.

Mr Kejriwal arrested in Delhi liquor policy scam; central agency accuses AAP leader of being a ‘conspirator’. ED believes that the now-defunct policy provided high profit margins of nearly 185% to retailers and 12% to wholesalers.

Of this, AAP will recover 6% as bribe, amounting to over Rs 600 crore. The education ministry claimed that nearly a third of it was paid by “southern groups” including BRS leader K Kavitha. The proceeds were allegedly used by the AAP for campaign expenses.

NDTV Explained | Why the Enforcement Directorate arrested Arvind Kejriwal

Apart from Mr Kejriwal, two prominent AAP leaders – Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia – have also been arrested in connection with the case. Mr. Singh was arrested on October 5 and Mr. Sisodia was arrested more than a year ago, on February 26. Neither man has received any relief from the Supreme Court, underscoring the likelihood that Mr Kejriwal will also get no relief.

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