Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court has granted a four-day extension to ED’s remand of CM Arvind Kejriwal, who was arrested in connection with the liquor scam.
Kejriwal was arrested on March 21, and on March 22, Enforcement Directorate (ED) requested a 10-day remand. Judge Kaveri Baweja, after considering arguments from both sides, initially ordered a six-day remand for Kejriwal. Following the completion of this initial remand period, ED on Thursday produced Kejriwal before Judge Kaveri Baweja at Rouse Avenue. The Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing the ED, informed the court that certain facts require confirmation by Kejriwal, who is allegedly uncooperative. Furthermore, digital data verification is pending, and individuals from Goa have been summoned for interrogation alongside Kejriwal. Consequently, ED sought a seven-day extension of remand. After hearing arguments court extended Kejriwal remand for four days till 1st of April.
Earlier, Arvind Kejriwal requested a moment to address the court. The court gave him five minutes. Kejriwal told the court that his name has appeared in only four cases. He questioned whether a statement was sufficient ground for the arrest of a Chief Minister, citing a statement alleging that he provided documents to Sisodia in the presence of others. Kejriwal said that it is frequent visits of MLAs to his residence, how to keep remember, when and which documents were given. How can this be explained? Kejriwal cited the statement of witness Raghav Magunta, and said that his testimony was manipulated by putting pressure on him.
Kejriwal said that the ED did not find statements favourable to me in the 25,000 pages, only those statements which were against me. The bail granted to Magunta pointed out inconsistencies in his statements. Similarly, Kejriwal mentioned the statements of Sharad Reddy.
Kejriwal said Justice Sanjeev Khanna’s comment on the alleged bribe of Rs 100 crore in which he has considered the case of giving bribe as suspicious. He accused the ED of conducting a biased investigation with the aim of defaming the Aam Aadmi Party and collecting money through intimidation. Kejriwal accused BJP of accepting donations worth Rs 55 crore from Sharad Reddy and said ED’s aim was to disrupt his party.
Addressing his legal representatives, Kejriwal requested to submit the electoral bond documents in the court. He announced his readiness for custodial investigation by ED. Advocate SV Raju, representing the ED, opposed Kejriwal’s claims and insisted that these should be taken into consideration during the trial.