Politics National

Posted by admin on 2024-03-29 |

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·       Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court passed the order after hearing the ED’s plea seeking a 7-day extension on Arvind Kejriwal’s custody.

 

·       Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the agency in the case on March 21, and subsequently, he was sent to remand till March 28 by the court.

 

·       AAP ministers Atishi, Gopal Rai and Saurabh Bharadwaj along with the chief minister's wife Sunita Kejriwal were inside the court.

 

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody of CM Arvind Kejriwal has been extended by four days till April 1 by Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court. AAP leaders Atishi and his wife Sunita are in attendance at the courtroom for his remand hearing.

 

Court Proceedings

The ED had sought a 7-day extension on Arvind Kejriwal’s custody in the now-scrapped liquor policy case. Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court dismissed a plea seeking removal of Arvind Kejriwal from the post of Delhi’s Chief Minister, saying that there is “no scope of judicial interference” in the matter.

 

Kejriwal, who appeared in court, responded to a media inquiry regarding Delhi L-G VK Saxena’s comment, “government cannot run from jail," stating that "this is a political conspiracy. The public will give a befitting reply.”

 

Despite his lawyers being present, Kejriwal made these remarks in Hindi after obtaining permission from the court.

 

ED Custody Extension

He made the submissions as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) produced him in the court of Special Judge Kaveri Baweja and requested a seven-day extension of custody, arguing that he needs to be confronted with some individuals associated with the case.

 

The ED said Kejriwal was giving evasive replies and not disclosing passwords of his digital devices.

 

Kejriwal’s lawyer, Ramesh Gupta, stated that the chief minister is willing to cooperate with the investigation but not on the terms set by the ED for extending his custodial remand.

 

Kejriwal's Response

In his submissions, Kejriwal said, "I am named by four witnesses in the excise policy case. Are four statements enough to arrest a sitting CM?"

 

He alleged that Sarath Chandra Reddy donated Rs 55 crore to the BJP, adding, "I have evidence of this. Money trail is established as he donated the funds after being arrested." Reddy is the director of Aurobindo Pharma Limited and one of the co-accused-turned-approvers in the case.