Arvind Kejriwal ED Arrest: Delhi CM's Custody Extended Until April 1; 'Not Keeping Well, He Is Harassed A Lot' Claims Wife Sunita

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by Enforcement Directorate on March 21 and subsequently sent to the judicial custody of the probe agency till March 28 by a Delhi Court.

Kejriwal was arrested for his alleged connection in excise policy-linked money laundering case while ED called him 'kingpin' of the liquor money scam.

Kejriwal's arrest sparked massive protests by Aam Aadmi Party supporters across the country while the INDIA bloc also condemned the ED action, calling the probe agency 'a political tool of BJP'.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita claimed her husband would do a "big expose" on the alleged excise policy scam in court on Thursday. His wife Wednesday also claimed that no money was found in multiple raids conducted by the central probe agency.

Kejriwal is likely to be produced before a city court on the conclusion of his ED custodial remand.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener was arrested by the ED on March 21 in an excise policy-linked money laundering case and subsequently remanded to the agency's custody till March 28.

The now-scrapped Delhi Excise policy lowered the legal drinking age to 21 and replaced government-owned liquor stores with private businesses.

It also introduced different registration requirements for liquor brands based on their pricing and sales performance outside of Delhi.

Further, the annual fee for obtaining a liquor vending license was raised substantially from Rs 8 lakh to Rs 75 lakh and also allowed 849 private vendors to obtain licenses through a competitive bidding process.

But the policy was ultimately scrapped due to reported violations.

The United States it is commited to closely monitor the latest updates regarding Arvind Kerjwal's arrest. Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs in India called in a US diplomat on Wednesday to address the US' comment, which New Delhi considered as interference in its 'internal matter'.

"We encourage fair, transparent and timely legal processes for each of these issues," said US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller over comments on Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's arrest and also on the freezing of Congress bank accounts.

The INDIA bloc has announced the 'maha rally' at Ramlila Maidan on March 31 following Kejriwal's arrest in an excise policy-linked money-laundering case.

Delhi Congress chief Arvinder Singh Lovely said, "The mega 'save democracy' rally on March 31 will be addressed by top leaders of the Congress and the INDIA bloc parties, strongly opposing the BJP government's determined attempt to misuse and undermine constitutional agencies to suppress and harass opposition leaders."

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to grant interim relief to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, arrested by the ED in a money laundering case linked to the excise policy 'scam'.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma issued notice on the Aam Aadmi Party leader's petition challenging his arrest and the subsequent remand granted to ED and asked the agency to file its response, including on interim relief, before April 2.

The judge, in the order, stated that the matter would be taken up for final disposal on April 3 and no adjournment shall be granted.

Delhi High Court on Wednesday cautioned lawyers against staging protests on court premises against the arrest of Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, saying the consequences would be "severe".

As part of the 'Main Bhi Kejriwal' campaign launched by Aam Aadmi Party in response to Kejriwal's arrest, the party workers distributed pamphlets to people outside the ITL Metro Station in Delhi on Thursday, hours ahead of his court hearing.

Hours ahead of Enforcement Directorate producing arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi, the authorities have beefed up security outside of Aam Aadmi Party headquarters.

Delhi cabinet minister Atishi on Wednesday stated that if President's Rule is enforced in the national capital after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, it would be seen as a clear case of "political vendetta".

Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena earlier that day, asserted that the Delhi government cannot be operated from jail. This comes in light of statements made by AAP leaders suggesting that Kejriwal would still serve as chief minister even if he is incarcerated.

Responding to Saxena's statement, Atishi, in an interview with PTI, cited The Representation of the People Act that disqualifies a lawmaker if he/she is convicted.

"What is the constitutional provision he is drawing on? The law of the country is very clear. You have the GNCTD Act which is very clear that you cannot be the chief minister if you do not enjoy the majority of the House. These conditions do not apply. So, under what conditions will President's Rule be imposed?" she said.

The Delhi Police detained several Aam Aadmi Party workers who were protesting at ITO in Delhi on Thursday morning. The AAP workers were earlier seen distributing pamphlets to people urging them to support 'Main Bhi Kejriwal' campaign launched by the party to protest against ED's arrest of Delhi CM in Delhi Excise Policy case.

Congress spokespersonSurendra Rajput told PTI that ED is being misused by the BJP, he said, "It’s a crime the way BJP is misusing the ED with the feeling of political revenge."

AAP leader and Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj held a press conference on Thursday accusing the ruling-BJP of trying to destroy AAP and luring AAP MLAs to join them.

He said, "Three of our Punjab MLAs held a press conference yesterday. They said that majority of AAP MLAs have received calls luring them to join the BJP."

"What Arvind Kejriwal had been saying has come out to be true today. 'Operation Lotus' is being run to destroy AAP and destabilise our governments in Delhi and Punjab", he added.

BJP leader Nalin Kohli speaking to media about Kejriwal's arrest said, "“He (Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal) chose to stay away from the (ED) summons giving some excuse or the other. It is for the court to decide finally, what is to happen."

He also stated the larger question in this matter was the allegations of corruption against Kejriwal, he added, “Two of his ministers are in jail…He has to explain whether the process that was followed was correct or not…The Goa team of the AAP will also have to respond to it. These are the larger questions…”

AAP Goa chiefAmit Palekar on Thursday reached ED office in Panaji after he was summoned by the probe agency in connection with a Prevention of Money Laundering Case.

Delhi Minister and AAP leader Gopal Rai speaking to PTI hours ahead of the Delhi Court hearing of Arvind Kejriwal's arrest in Delhi Excise Policy case, said, "We are confident that the court will give its verdict after taking into account the fact that the agencies have no evidence yet. The court will consider all these aspects and then decide...everyone is waiting for the judgement."

The Delhi High Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on Thursday that sought the removal of Arvind Kejriwal from his position as the Chief Minister of Delhi after he was arrested by ED and sent to custody for allegations of money laundering in connection with Delhi Excise Policy scam.

The case was heard by a division bench consisting of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora.

The PIL was filed by Surjit Singh Yadav, a resident of Delhi who claimed to be a farmer and social worker. Yadav argued that a Chief Minister facing allegations of financial misconduct should not be allowed to continue serving in a public role.

While arriving at the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said 'This is a political conspiracy. The people will give an answer."

He is being produced before Special Judge Kaveri Baweja in the excise policy-linked money laundering case.

The Enforcement Directorate has asked for 7-day further custody of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal for further investigation and questioning in the Delhi Excise Policy case.

The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday complained that Delhi Cm arvind Kejriwal has not been cooperating with their investigation procedure as they claimed he is giving 'evasive replies' and disagreed to reveal passwords of his digital devices.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal made his own submissions at the Rouse Avenue Court hearing on Thursday and stated that he has been named by 4 witnesses in the Delhi Excise Policy case and questioned, " are 4 statements enough to arrest a sitting CM?"

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal stated in his court hearing for money laundering allegations in Delhi Excise Policy case that he is ready for ED probe.

He also claimed that a 'smokescreen of AAP being corrupt created in front of nation'.

The Delhi Court after hearing both sides of the case has reserved the order.

The ED filed plea for extension of Arvind Kejriwal's custody and custodial interrogation while they complained of non-cooperation by the Delhi CM.

Arvind Kejriwal on the other hand made his own submissions at the court and stated with confidence that he is ready to face ED probe while also adding that his arrest was done based on 4 statements which he thinks is not enough evidence to arrest a sitting CM.

Commenting on the Enforcement Directorate's plea seeking extension of Kejriwal's custody by seven more days, AAP leader Kailash Gehlot today said, "This is for the court to decide on how many days of remand they (ED) are seeking and whether it is justified or not. We will abide by the court's decision."

According to Ramesh Gupta, counsel of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, "The grounds (put forth by ED) were baseless. Arvind Kejriwal requested the court to say something, which was allowed. He explained that there was no evidence against him and lastly he said that he doesn't oppose the police remand as such, and that they can keep him in the custody and he will cooperate."

"....We told the court that we oppose the grounds on which remand is being sought. The court will grant remand custody now that he has conceded before the court."

Delhi Court on Thursday extended Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's ED custody until April 1. After the hearing at Rouse Avenue court, Kejriwal has been brought back to the ED office.

Commenting on today's Rouse Avenue court hearing on Delhi Excise Policy case, AAP leader Gopal Rai said, "Today, CM (Arvind Kejriwal) has put forth his stand before the court. Out of all the chargesheets submitted by ED, only four of them mention his name without any evidence. The one (Sarath Reddy) who gave a statement against CM has already been released because he bribed BJP through donations," says Delhi minister and AAP leader Gopal Rai.

Regarding Sarath Chandra Reddy, Kejriwal also alleged that he donated Rs 55 crore to the BJP.

"I have evidence of this. Money trail is established as he donated the funds after being arrested," the chief minister said.

Reddy is the director of Aurobindo Pharma Limited and one of the co-accused-turned-approvers in the case.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal on Thursday claimed he is not keeping well and is being "harassed a lot".

"He has not been keeping well. His sugar levels are fluctuating. He is being harassed a lot. This tyranny won't last and people will give a reply", Sunita Kejriwal told reporters today

Protesting against the arrest of party supremo Arvind Kejriwal, the Aam Admi Party (AAP) members observe fast in Bhubaneswar. Today, the Ruse Avenue court in Delhi extended Kejriwal's custody for seven more days in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy case.

Commenting on today's Delhi Court proceedings, AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar said, "They requested a 7-day remand but were granted only four days. The CM categorically submitted before the court that the so-called liquor scam actually started subsequent to the ED investigation, which is now revealed by the electoral bonds data. Sarath Chandra Reddy, who is the government witness against the CM (Arvind Kejriwal), actually donated around Rs 55-60 crore to the BJP subsequent to his arrest, after which he was granted bail and turned approver. The ED didn't object to his bail in court, which is extremely appalling. These facts were presented before the court today."