Excise policy case: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal remanded to judicial custody till April 15

Appearing for the Enforcement Directorate (ED), ASG SV Raju, said that Kejriwal's replies in questioning have been 'evasive' and he refuses to give his phone passwords.

New Delhi: A Delhi court on Monday sent Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to judicial custody till April 15 in a money laundering case related to the now-scrapped liquor policy.

Special Judge Kaveri Baweja remanded Kejriwal to judicial custody as Additional Solicitor General S V Raju submitted though the accused had remained evasive during the custodial interrogation, he could be sent to judicial custody.

The ASG also said Kejriwal did not share phone passwords.

"We are asking for judicial custody subject to the right of asking further custody as per SC judgment in Senthil Balaji case," he submitted.

While being taken outside the courtroom, Kejriwal said, "Whatever Prime Minister is doing is not good for the country."

Kejriwal was arrested on March 21, 2024, by the Enforcement Directorate.

He had since then remained in custody of the Enforcement Directorate for the purpose of interrogation.

The ED had earlier claimed Kejriwal was the kingpin and key conspirator of the Delhi excise scam as he was involved in formulating the policy in 2021-22 to favour certain persons in exchange of bribe over Rs 100 crore.

It claimed Rs 45 crore, the part of the money received through hawala routes, were used in the Goa Assembly elections.

The ED registered the money laundering case on August 22, 2022 in relation to scheduled offences of the CBI which lodged its case on August 17, 2022, in connection with irregularities committed in the framing and implementation of excise policy for the year 2021-22 and the payment of the bribe.

Kejriwal filed a writ petition before the Delhi High Court seeking a declaration that his arrest on March 21, 2024, was illegal, arbitrary, and unconstitutional. He also prayed for setting aside the order of remand passed on March 22, 2024.

Declining any interim relief on March 27, 2024, the HC asked the ED to file a reply on April 2, 2024, and fixed the matter for final disposal on April 3, 2024.