Arvind Kejriwal sent to judicial custody till April 15 in liquor policy case

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been remanded to judicial custody until April 15 by a Delhi court in connection with a money laundering case related to a defunct liquor policy. This decision comes less than three weeks before the onset of Lok Sabha elections, highlighting significant political implications. Kejriwal, who was presented before Special Judge Kaveri Baweja after the conclusion of his Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody, faces accusations of non-cooperation and evasion by the probe agency, which led to the court's ruling.

The Enforcement Directorate, advocating for a 15-day judicial custody for Kejriwal, cited his alleged non-cooperative behavior and refusal to provide passwords to electronic devices as pivotal factors. Additional Solicitor General S. V. Raju emphasized Kejriwal's lack of cooperation during his ED custody. The court's decision drew attention as Kejriwal, speaking to reporters prior to entering court, criticized the Prime Minister, asserting, "Whatever the prime minister is doing (referring to his arrest) is not good for the country." Notably, AAP ministers Atishi, Saurabh Bhardwaj, and Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal were present during the proceedings. Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court dismissed a plea to restrain the chief minister from issuing orders while in ED custody, directing the agency to submit comments to the relevant judge handling the excise policy case.