• Source:JND

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, arrested by ED last month in the Delhi Liquor Policy case, was sent to judicial custody till April 15 by the Rouse Avenue Court on Monday. The court extended the custody of Kejriwal after the Enforcement Directorate claimed that he was not cooperating in the investigation. While Kejriwal refused allegations against him, ED again pinned the scam on him in front of the court.

Here are key points the central probe agency made in its remand plea-

1. The Enforcement Directorate requested more time to interrogate Kejriwal, saying that he didn't give clear answers and kept some information hidden. The agency further said that they questioned the chief minister for nine days and showed him statements from different witnesses, informants, and others involved in the case.

2. ED Claimed that Kejriwal has revealed that the accused Vijay Nair, who turned government approver in the liquor policy case, never reported to him but to Delhi minister Atishi. According to media reports, Kejriwal also named Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj during the questioning by the ED in the excise policy case.

Also Read: Arvind Kejriwal Said Liquor Policy Case Accused Vijay Nair Reported To Atishi, Not Him: ED Tells Court

3. The agency further said in its plea that the co-accused Vijay Nair was staying in the chief minister's bungalow and worked from his office.

4. "It was also put to the arrestee to explain why would someone, who reported to other leaders of AAP, work from his camp office which anyways is meant for the work of the CM of Delhi and not for the party. Kejriwal evaded replying to this by claiming unawareness to the persons who work at the CM camp office," the plea stated.

5. The Enforcement Directorate alleged that Arvind Kejriwal did not answer the questions regarding the validity of digital evidence presented to him. Additionally, the agency stated that Kejriwal did not disclose the passwords for his mobile devices.

"The arrestee (Kejriwal) has not answered the questions posed to him by questioning the authenticity of digital evidence shown to him. The arrestee also did not reveal the passwords of his digital devices which inhibits the evidence collection and also shows his non-cooperation," it said. Vijay Nair is a worker in the AAP. He is also a co-accused in the liquor policy case.

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6. "It was put to the arrestee to explain the authority with which Nair attended these meetings, the arrestee evaded the question by claiming unawareness of these persons and a senior functionary like Nair who closely worked with the arrestee wouldn't be able to assert himself without the sanction and approval of the head of the party. This is also because the ultimate benefit of these conspiracies or meetings was reaped by the AAP in the Goa election campaign," the remand plea added.

7. The request for remand stated that Arvind Kejriwal was shown evidence of hawala transactions totalling around ₹45 crores. It further said that these payments were verified through CDR locations, call records and WhatsApp conversations.

"Even after showing all the above evidence, the arrestee claimed unawareness even though the beneficiary of these funds is the AAP which is headed by him," it said.