Rajnath Singh on Arvind Kejriwal arrest: ‘There is no washing machine, if Sanjay Singh can get bail, why not…’

Arvind Kejriwal arrest: Rajnath Singh accused the Opposition of misleading the people of the country.

Updated on: Apr 12, 2024, 09:18:45 IST

By HT News Desk

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New Delhi: Reacting to the Opposition's charge that the BJP government at the Centre had misused agencies to get Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal arrested, defence minister Rajnath Singh wondered why courts didn't grant relief to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh during a public meeting in Uttar Pradesh. (PTI file photo)

In an interview, Rajnath Singh accused the Opposition of misleading the people of the country.

"Even if it is assumed that Arvind Kejriwal went to jail because of us, why is he not getting relief? Have we taken control of the courts also? What are these people trying to say? Let them have the audacity to say we have captured courts also...is it possible?" Rajnath Singh told ANI.

Singh said the Enforcement Directorate, CBI and the Income Tax department were doing their jobs. He said if the Opposition thought their leaders were being jailed over baseless allegations, they could get protection from courts.

Rajnath Singh said if AAP leader Sanjay Singh could get bail, why other leaders weren't able to get similar relief from courts.

"India has to be made corruption-free, this is the resolve of our Prime Minister (Narendra Modi). If they (Opposition parties) feel that they have been framed, their leaders are in jail on baseless allegations, they can get protection from courts. If Sanjay Singh (AAP leader) can get bail, why other (party leaders) have not been able to get similar relief,” he told ANI.

Also read: ‘People of PoK feel development only possible at hands of PM Modi’: Rajnath Singh

AAP leader Sanjay Singh recently got bail in a money laundering case linked to the liquor policy scam. He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in October last year.

His party colleague Manish Sisodia, however, has been languishing in jail over similar charges since February 2023. Several courts have dismissed his bail applications since his arrest.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested last month by the Enforcement Directorate in the liquor policy case. The Delhi High Court recently refused to strike down ED's action. He has moved the Supreme Court against the court verdict and arrest.

Also read: Delhi high court rejects Arvind Kejriwal's plea challenging his arrest by ED

Rajnath Singh said the Opposition appeared to have no faith in courts.

Rajnath Singh on ‘washing machine’ charge

The defence minister also reacted to the Congress party's allegation that BJP has a washing machine, which makes leaders of other parties "clean" after they join the ruling party.

He also said there was no washing machine in the BJP and the government wasn't telling agencies to arrest specific people.

"There is no washing machine, agencies have to do their work and they will do so. Are we telling agencies to arrest a specific person, these are baseless allegations. They are trying to cover up their mistakes, weaknesses, are trying to mislead the people and if they think that by misleading they can get away from allegations of corruption, they are mistaken," he told ANI.

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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

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