10 key takeaways from Arvind Kejriwal's court hearing in liquor policy case

Arvind Kejriwal has been sent to judicial custody till April 15 in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped liquor policy.

Updated on: Apr 1, 2024, 18:40:20 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

A Delhi court on Monday remanded chief minister Arvind Kejriwal to judicial custody till April 15 in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped liquor policy.

Delhi chief minister and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal at the Rouse Avenue court in New Delhi. (PTI)

He was brought to Tihar Jail in the evening, where he will be lodged in Jail number 2, according to officials quoted by news agency PTI.

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 after his name was mentioned multiple times in the chargesheets relating to the excise policy case.

The AAP national convenor is accused of soliciting kickbacks from liquor traders in exchange for favours. The ED has also accused him of being the "kingpin and key conspirator" in the now-scrapped policy.

Also Read | Sunita Kejriwal makes 'dictatorship' claim, BJP calls her ‘Rabri Devi in making’

The agency has already arrested at least 14 top AAP leaders, including Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, in connection with the case.

Here's what all happened during the hearing of Arvind Kejriwal's case:

Arvind Kejriwal was produced in the court of Special Judge Kaveri Baweja after his Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody came to an end.
As he was being produced at the court, Kejriwal on Monday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying: “What PM is doing is not good for the country.”
During the hearing, additional solicitor general S V Raju, appearing for the ED, said that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo has been “non-cooperative” during the custody and has been “evasive” in his answers.
"He has deliberately not given passwords to the electronic devices," Raju told the court.
The ED also told the court that Arvind Kejriwal has named Delhi minister Atishi during interrogation. It also said that the AAP supremo has called his party's national treasurer "confused" when he was confronted with his statement on issues related to the affairs, according to PTI.
"Arvind Kejriwal's conduct has been totally non-cooperative and he has tried to mislead the interrogation. He said Vijay Nair does not report to me but to Atishi. Kejriwal is not sharing the password for his phone," SV Raju said.
Having noted the submissions, Special Judge Kaveri Baweja on Monday decided to send Kejriwal to judicial custody until April 15.
Meanwhile, the court also directed Tihar Jail authorities to allow Arvind Kejriwal to carry prescribed medicine and books, reported ANI.
The court also asked authorities to provide one table and chair, a religious locket and a special diet as prescribed by the doctors, as per the jail manual.
Kejriwal, through his lawyers, also moved an application and sought permission to carry several books, including Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana and Neerja Chaudhary's “How Prime Minister Decided”.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Follow India news real-time updates and the latest news covered on Hindustan Times, featuring today's critical updates on Sonam Wangchuk LIVE and more across India.