Delhi Liquor scam: High Court denies Kejriwal's plea for early release

Delhi High Court has denied Arvind Kejriwal's plea challenging the arrest and custody in the liquor scam case.

Rejecting the Delhi chief minister's plea for early listing, the court said it would hear the matter on 27th March, the first working day after the two holidays for Holi. Kejriwal was sent to ED custody till 28th March.

In his plea seeking, Kejriwal had termed his arrest and the remand order illegal and claimed that he was entitled to be released from custody immediately.

The AAP supremo was sent to six-day custody by the Rouse Avenue court in Delhi on 22nd March.

The AAP chief is in ED custody till March 28, following his arrest on May 21st evening by the agency in connection with a money-laundering case linked to Delhi's now-scrapped excise policy.

During the hearing, the ED pressed for his custodial interrogation for 10 days while accusing the AAP leader of being "involved in the entire conspiracy of the Delhi liquor scam, in drafting and implementation of the policy, for favouring and benefiting the quid pro receiving kickbacks and eventually using part of the proceeds of crime generated out of the scheduled offence in the election campaign for Goa Assembly election".

"Accused is hereby remanded to the custody of ED till March 28 for the purposes of his detailed and sustained interrogation with respect to his role and to unearth the remaining proceeds of crime and for confronting him with data retrieved from digital devices and material seized during investigation," the court said.

Taking note of the evidence, the court also said that the provisions under section 19 (power of arrest) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) have been "substantially complied with".

Special judge for Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) cases Kaveri Baweja ordered the ED to bring Kejriwal back to court on March 28 at 2 pm.

It also noted the prosecution's allegations that "the totality of facts and circumstances pointed towards the involvement of accused Arvind Kejriwal in the entire conspiracy of Delhi liquor scam." "On the basis of the material placed before the court, it has been sought to be submitted that AAP is the major beneficiary of the proceeds of crime generated in Delhi liquor scam and part of proceeds of crime to the tune of Rs 45 crores was raised for the election campaign in Goa Assembly election in 2021­-22 and accordingly in this manner, AAP has committed offence of money laundering through accused Arvind Kejriwal," the court said.

The arrest, the first of a sitting chief minister, came hours after the Delhi High Court refused to grant protection to the AAP national convenor from any coercive action by the agency.

Also read | Arvind Kejriwal moves Delhi HC against 'illegal' arrest in liquor excise scam