Jailed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in excise scam case, allegedly consuming foods high in sugar like mangoes and sweets daily, despite being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has asserted this before Rouse Avenue Court, suggesting that Kejriwal’s dietary choices might be aimed at establishing grounds for medical bail.
In response to these claims, Special Judge Kaveri Baweja has directed Tihar jail authorities to provide a report, including Kejriwal’s diet chart. Kejriwal himself has sought permission from the court to consult his regular doctor via video conference due to fluctuations in his sugar levels.
The judge has instructed the relevant authorities to submit the report by the following day, indicating a possible further discussion on the matter.
In other developments, Chanpreet Singh, accused of managing funds for the Aam Aadmi Party in the 2022 Goa assembly elections, has been remanded to judicial custody until April 23 after the conclusion of his custody by the ED. Additionally, the judge has extended the judicial custody of AAP leader Manish Sisodia until April 26 in connection with the money laundering case linked to the alleged excise scam. This extension came after Sisodia’s appearance via video conference before the court. Sanjay Singh, Sisodia’s co-accused and party colleague, also appeared before the court through video conference.
Sisodia’s judicial custody in the corruption case filed by the CBI in the alleged scam is set to expire on April 26.
Both the CBI and the ED have alleged irregularities in the modification of the Delhi Excise Policy 2020-21, including undue favors to license holders, waiver or reduction of license fees, and unauthorized extensions of licenses. It is claimed that the beneficiaries diverted illicit gains to the accused officials and made false entries in their books of account to evade detection.
Sisodia, Delhi’s former deputy chief minister, was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on February 26, 2023. He was subsequently arrested by the ED in the money laundering case related to the CBI FIR on March 9, 2023, following questioning at Tihar Jail. Sisodia resigned from the Delhi cabinet on February 28, 2023.