New Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, has been remanded to seven days of custody by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam.
He will be remanded till March 28.
This decision was made by Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court, following Kejriwal's withdrawal of a Supreme Court plea challenging his arrest earlier on Friday.
The ED had requested custody of Kejriwal for ten days to complete its investigation and confront him with other accused individuals. During the court hearing, Kejriwal was described as the "kingpin" and "key conspirator" in the alleged scam, with allegations of his involvement in facilitating kickbacks and misappropriating funds.
Despite denying all charges, Kejriwal, who spent the night at the ED's office, faces accusations of being directly involved in the implementation of the policy and receiving kickbacks in exchange for favors. The ED claimed that a significant portion of these kickbacks was used to fund election campaigns, including those in Goa and Punjab in 2022.
Responding to the ED's allegations, Kejriwal emphasized his dedication to serving the nation and expressed gratitude for the support received from his wife and the public. Meanwhile, his legal team argued against the necessity of his arrest, citing the lack of direct evidence implicating him in the alleged scam.
The ED's pursuit of Kejriwal comes amid a broader investigation into the Delhi liquor policy, which allegedly provided excessive profits to retailers and wholesalers. The ED has accused Kejriwal of playing a central role in facilitating these illicit gains and using them for political purposes.