New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been sent to judicial custody for 14 days in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The CBI asserted that Kejriwal’s custody is crucial “in the interest of investigation and justice.”
Earlier on Saturday, special judge Sunena Sharma reserved the order after Kejriwal’s three-day CBI custody expired. Kejriwal was brought to court where the CBI, in its remand application, accused him of non-cooperation and providing evasive responses.
“On being confronted with the evidence, he did not give a proper and truthful explanation regarding the enhancement of the profit margin for wholesalers from 5 per cent to 12 per cent under the new excise policy of Delhi 2021-22, without any study or justification,” the CBI stated.
“He also could not explain why, during the peak of the second wave of Covid, the cabinet approval for the revised excise policy was obtained through circulation in a hurried manner within one day, while accused persons of the South Group were camping in Delhi and holding meetings with his close associate Vijay Nair,” the CBI added.
The central agency further alleged that Kejriwal evaded questions regarding meetings of his associate Vijay Nair with stakeholders in Delhi’s liquor business. Kejriwal reportedly failed to provide satisfactory explanations about his meetings with individuals involved in the case.
“As a prominent politician and chief minister of Delhi, Kejriwal is a highly influential person. There are credible concerns that he may influence witnesses and tamper with evidence, potentially obstructing the ongoing investigation,” the CBI application asserted.
This development follows Kejriwal’s earlier arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 on charges related to money laundering linked to the formulation of the Delhi liquor policy for 2021-22. The policy was subsequently scrapped after objections raised by the Lieutenant Governor. The ED has alleged that funds acquired from liquor sellers were used to finance the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) campaign in Goa, where Kejriwal serves as the convenor.
Throughout the proceedings, Kejriwal and the AAP have maintained their stance that the central government is misusing investigative agencies to target opposition leaders with baseless accusations.
