New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday sought 10-day custody of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, saying that he demanded 'kickbacks' in the excise scam case. The Rouse Avenue court heard the arguments of both the ED and the Delhi CM's lawyer and reserved its order. The Thursday arrest of Arvind Kejriwal has created an uproar in the national political circles as it came amidst the current Lok Sabha elections.
The Delhi CM was produced before the court of Special Judge Kaveri Baweja and said that several crores of rupees changed hands during the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped Delhi liquor policy. The agency told the court that every person associated with AAP in these illegal activities during 2021-22 would be held accountable. The agency also called Kejriwal the "key conspirator". Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi represented Kejriwal. Delhi CM's lawyer told court that ED misused its power under PMLA to target opposition leaders. Here are the live updates of the big developing story.
- 8.30 pm The Delhi court remanded the Delhi CM to ED custody till March 28. The ED custody of Kejriwal is seen as a big setback to AAP. Speculation started on whether Kejriwal will continue to be the CM despite his being remanded to 6-day custody.
- 7.30 pm INDIA bloc leaders submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission, strongly objecting to the arrest of Kejriwal and saying that the state machinery is being misused to target the opposition leaders. While returning from court appearance earlier, Kejriwal said that he will run the government from jail itself and that he will not resign.
- 6.40 pm Uproar continued over Kejriwal's arrest across Delhi and Punjab. In Punjab, AAP leaders clashed with Police in Mohali and water cannons were used on them. A Minister and an MLA were taken into Police custody following this.
- 5.20 pm The Rouse Avenue court reserved its order after hearing the arguments of both the ED and the Delhi CM's lawyer. The Kejriwal custody battle triggered a slanging match between the opposition INDIA bloc leaders and the NDA across the country.
- 4.50 pm Kejriwal's lawyer reiterated before the court that Arvind Kejriwal had no role in the liquor scam. ED claimed that the Delhi CM played a key role along with Manish Sisodia. Kejriwal's rejected the agency's claim and asserted that there is no need to arrest the AAP national convener.
- 4.30 pm Delhi CM's lawyer concludes arguments. Kejriwal says his life is dedicated to the nation. Singhvi argues before the court that it was the first time that a sitting chief minister was arrested by the central agency.
- 4.09 pm During Kejriwal's remand hearing, his lawyer Vikram Chaudhari told the court that ED has become judge, jury and executioner.
- 3.15 pm Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, who appeared for the ED, told the court that the AAP national convenor 'demanded' Rs 100 crore from the 'South Group. The call data of the accused had also corroborated the unlawful activities, ASG said. He further said that every individual involved in these illegal activities of AAP would be held accountable.
- 2.30 pm The Central agency told the court that Arvind Kejriwal was key conspirator in the liquor case. Tight security was placed at the trial court where Kejriwal was produced a while after he withdrew his petition from the Supreme Court challenging his arrest by the agency. After the trial court proceedings, Kejriwal's lawyers are planning to file another petition in the top court.
- 1.59 pm Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was arrested in the excise scam case on Thursday, was produced by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) before the Rouse Avenue court on Friday afternoon. The Delhi CM was arrested by a 12-member team of ED on Thursday night. Prior to his arrest, the Delhi High Court rejected Kejriwal's plea for protection from coercive action in the liquor scam case.
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