A Delhi court has ordered the incarceration of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in Tihar Jail until April 15 in connection with the liquor policy case, following allegations of non-cooperation leveled against him by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Kejriwal was brought before the court after the conclusion of his remand, during which the ED refrained from seeking further custody. However, the agency accused Kejriwal of obstructing their investigation, alleging that he had attempted to mislead officials during questioning. The ED asserted that Kejriwal had claimed co-accused Vijay Nair reported to Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj, now AAP ministers, rather than to him.
The ED, represented by Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, sought judicial custody for Kejriwal, citing the Supreme Court judgment in the Senthil Balaji case. Raju further contended that Kejriwal had withheld passwords to his digital devices, impeding the investigation process.
In its plea, the ED highlighted Kejriwal’s significant influence and expressed concerns that his release could lead to the manipulation of witnesses and evidence, thereby jeopardizing the ongoing probe.
Present in court were Atishi, Bharadwaj, Gopal Rai, and Kejriwal’s wife, Sunita, adding to the gravity of the proceedings.