In the Delhi Liquor Policy Scandal case, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal did not receive any relief from the court on Thursday. After hearing both sides, the court approved a 5-day Enforcement Directorate (ED) remand for CM Kejriwal. The ED had sought a 7-day remand from the court. Throughout this period, both parties presented their arguments convincingly. On one side, Kejriwal questioned his arrest, while the ED informed the court that their interrogation with Kejriwal was still pending.
The remand copy presented by the ED in court mentioned links to Goa and Punjab in this case. According to the ED, during the previous 7-day remand, Kejriwal's statements were recorded for 5 days. Kejriwal's statements, as the accused and mastermind of the entire case, were documented from March 23 to March 27. In addition to these, statements from three other individuals were also recorded in this context, including the former secretary of Manish Sisodia, C Arvind, who was given a draft of the GoM report at Kejriwal's house in his presence.
Interrogation of AAP Candidate from Goa
The ED informed the court that they have recorded the statement of a candidate from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Goa, who revealed that the AAP's Delhi office was managing the entire election expense account for Goa. They were being given cash for expenses. On March 21, during Kejriwal's arrest, one mobile phone belonging to his wife was seized. The data analysis is still ongoing. Four digital devices were found with Kejriwal, and he is not disclosing their passwords. He says that he will consult his lawyer before providing them. In fact, the agency argued that the AAP had used INR 45 crores out of the INR 100 crores alleged to be a bribe from a southern liquor company for the elections in Goa.
Waiting for Kejriwal's Visitor Data
According to the ED's remand copy, Kejriwal has not yet disclosed his Income Tax Returns, movable and immovable assets. When asked for the visitor register of the CM's office, he informed that no such register is maintained there. We were told that there is an online portal and registration for meeting the CM and we are awaiting that information.
Punjab Officials Summoned for Interrogation
The ED told the court that some officials working in Punjab's Excise Department have also been summoned for interrogation. These officials were involved in pressuring Delhi liquor traders to pay bribes. The factories of such traders who did not comply were shut down or they were unable to supply their goods in Punjab.
Kejriwal's Arguments in Court
Kejriwal stated that he would like to thank the ED officers who are cooperating. This case has been ongoing for two and a half years. Kejriwal wanted to speak something and the court allowed him to speak. Following this, he explained why his name was brought up, stating that he was neither arrested nor tried in any court. 31,000 pages have been submitted. He further said-
My name came up in four places. The accusation is that C Arvind (Sisodia's former secretary) handed over documents to Sisodia at my house. Hundreds of people visit my house. You can arrest me in this allegation. The court asked for it to be put in writing.
The second case concerned Srinivasan, who came to my house to discuss a land deal for opening a trust. We told him to submit a proposal which we would forward to the LG; subsequently, when ED raided Srinivasan's home and his son was arrested, the matter ended. When Srinivas changes his statement, he gets bail. The purpose of the ED is to entrap us. The 25,000 pages submitted by the ED contain a statement against Kejriwal, which is not favorable.
Out of the seven statements by Raghav Monguta, my name is not mentioned in six. As soon as he makes a statement against me in the seventh, he receives bail. Where is the money from the liquor scandal? The allegation is of 100 crores. There is an order by Justice Sanjeev Khanna, which mentions that this is suspicious. In 8 out of 9 statements by Sharat Reddy, there is no mention of bribery against me. But as soon as he speaks against me in the ninth statement, he gets bail.
The purposes of the ED's investigation are to create a conducive environment and to collect money by threatening using the ED. Sharat Reddy was granted bail after donating 55 crores through electoral bonds. The aim of the ED is to destroy and crush the AAP party. Sharat Reddy donated 55 crores to the BJP after bail was granted. We have a copy of the bond.
The investigation's objective is to extort money and to crush the AAP.
Kejriwal stated that he would provide the court with a copy of the bond.
As long as the ED wants to keep me in their custody, I am ready for the investigation.
Kejriwal was arrested on March 21
It is worth noting that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the ED after nearly two hours of interrogation on March 21 from his official residence. The Rouse Avenue Court sent him to ED custody in the Delhi Liquor Scam. Even after his arrest, Arvind Kejriwal has not resigned from the post of Chief Minister. Leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party say that he will remain the Chief Minister of Delhi and will run the government from jail if necessary.
