Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been remanded to 14 days of judicial custody following allegations related to the Delhi liquor policy of 2021-22. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sought Mr. Kejriwal’s custody citing the need for further investigation and ensuring justice in the matter.
Special Judge Sunena Sharma reserved the order after Mr. Kejriwal’s three-day CBI custody came to an end. The CBI, in its remand application, accused Mr. Kejriwal of non-cooperation and providing evasive answers during questioning.
The central agency alleged that Mr. Kejriwal failed to justify the increase in profit margins for liquor wholesalers under the revised excise policy, which raised the margin from 5% to 12%. Furthermore, the CBI questioned the expedited approval process of the policy during the peak of the second wave of Covid-19, alleging procedural irregularities.
“Mr. Kejriwal evaded questions regarding meetings between his associate Vijay Nair and stakeholders in the liquor industry,” stated the CBI in its application. The agency also highlighted Mr. Kejriwal’s alleged inability to explain meetings with individuals connected to the case, including Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy, Arjun Pandey, and Mootha Gautham, all accused in the matter.
Citing Mr. Kejriwal’s influential position as Delhi’s Chief Minister, the CBI expressed concerns about potential tampering with evidence and influencing witnesses during the ongoing investigation.
Earlier, Mr. Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 on charges related to money laundering linked to the same liquor policy. The policy was subsequently scrapped after objections raised by the Lieutenant Governor. The ED had alleged that funds from liquor sellers were used to finance the AAP’s election campaign in Goa, where Mr. Kejriwal serves as the party’s convenor.
Mr. Kejriwal and his party, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), have consistently asserted that the central government is abusing its investigative agencies to target opposition leaders with baseless allegations.
Sources By Agencies