The Enforcement Directorate ( ED ) made an arrest on Thursday, taking Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal into custody from his residence, regarding a money laundering case linked to an alleged liquor policy scam.
Earlier today, the Delhi High Court’s division bench declined to issue interim protection orders against coercive actions for Kejriwal at this stage of the case. Kejriwal has petitioned the Delhi High Court, contesting the summons issued by the central probe agency, and has also filed for interim protection. The court has scheduled a hearing for April 22.
Previously, ED had lodged two criminal complaints against Kejriwal in the Rouse Avenue Courts in the city, citing non-compliance with summons. Up to this point, nine summonses have been issued to the Chief Minister by the central probe agency. Last week, Kejriwal appeared before the ACMM court and was granted bail, contingent upon posting a bail bond of Rs 15,000 and providing a surety of the same amount. This matter is set for a hearing on April 01.
ED’s complaints allege that Kejriwal neglected to adhere to the issued summons, although he has argued their illegality. Kejriwal recently informed ED that he could be interrogated via video conferencing after March 12. Aam Aadmi Party leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh have also been arrested in the money laundering case and are currently in judicial custody.
ED’s allegations center around the excise policy being orchestrated to benefit certain private companies with a 12% profit margin, a detail not recorded in the minutes of Group of Ministers ( GoM ) meetings.
The agency further asserts a coordinated conspiracy led by Vijay Nair and others, including South Group, to provide unusually high profit margins to wholesalers. According to the agency, Nair acted on behalf of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia.
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