• Source:JND
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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court asserting that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested in a money laundering case linked with the Delhi excise policy as tampering with evidence had taken place on a large scale in the case. The federal probe agency said over 170 mobile phones were destroyed during the course of the ‘scam’. The AAP convener had filed a petition in the Supreme Court against his arrest.  

In the affidavit submitted in the top court, the ED stated that Kejriwal was summoned nine times in the case and he had been evading the questions. It also said the Delhi CM was arrested only after the High Court did not impose a stay on his arrest.  The ED also refuted the allegation that Kejriwal's arrest was politically motivated, stating that it was based on sufficient evidence and that there was no compromise on the integrity of the investigation.  

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The agency stated that the arrest of any accused individual is based solely on evidence, regardless of their position. The affidavit also stated that the politicians facing criminal should not be immune to arrest, asserting that it will weaken the integrity of the electoral process.  It was mentioned that arresting the accused based on evidence does not violate the principles of free and fair elections.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 in a money laundering case linked with the Delhi Excise policy. This came hours after the Delhi High Court turned down his interim protection plea. Kejriwal was sent to ED custody until March 28, which was extended until April 1.

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He was sent to judicial custody for 15 days by the court after ED said they didn’t want to question him further, adding that he was "uncooperative" and gave evasive answers. On Tuesday, Kejriwal’s custody was further extended by 14 days.