The Enforcement Directorate informed the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi on Friday afternoon that Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister, was the central figure and main conspirator in the purported liquor policy scandal in the national capital. They advocated for a 10-day custody of the Aam Aadmi Party leader.
The agency has claimed Mr Kejriwal was the middleman between the ‘south group’ and other accused, including ex-Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia (arrested last year) and AAP officer Vijay Nair. Total proceeds of the alleged scam, the agency said, exceeded Rs 600 crore; this includes Rs 100 crore allegedly paid by the ‘south group’ the agency has claimed includes Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader K Kavitha, who was arrested last week.
“He (was) directly involved in implementation of the policy, and giving favour to the south group. Kejriwal demanded kickbacks from south group in exchange for favours… this is corroborated by statements,” Additional Solicitor-General SV Raju, appearing for the Enforcement Directorate, argued..
“He (also) is involved in the use of proceeds of crime. All vendors paid cash, to a certain extent,” he continued.
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Developments Surrounding Arvind Kejriwal’s Arrest and Legal Proceedings
On the role of Mr Nair, the Additional Solicitor General said, “He was staying in a house given to Kailash Gahlot (Delhi’s Transport Minister) and acted as the middleman between south group and AAP.”
Mr Kejriwal – the first sitting Chief Minister to be arrested – spent the night at the agency’s office on Delhi’s Abdul Kalam Road. He will be represented today by senior advocate Vikram Chaudhari.
Hours earlier, Mr Kejriwal’s legal team withdrew a Supreme Court plea challenging his arrest; this was shortly after the top court rejected an identical plea by the BRS’ K Kavitha. In fact, the same bench that told Ms Kavitha to go to a lower court was scheduled to hear Mr Kejriwal’s plea.
Meanwhile, sources within Mr Kejriwal’s legal team have said there is no reason why the AAP boss – whose arrest weeks before a general election has sparked furious nationwide protests – cannot continue as Delhi Chief Minister. Sources said Mr Kejriwal had not been convicted, only accused.
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