THE NEWS FREEDOM
NEW DELHI, MARCH 22
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was sent to the Enforcement Directorate(ED) custody till March 28 by the city’s Rouse Avenue Court on Friday. Alleging that Kejriwal was the “key conspirator” in the liquor policy scam, ED sought 10-day custody of Kejriwal while arguing before the court. The ED asserted that Kejriwal was directly involved in the implementation of the policy, providing favors to the south group in exchange for kickbacks, a claim supported by statements. However, Kejriwal’s advocate denied the allegations, contending that there was no evidence to support his arrest as no increment was found by the probing agency.
“My life is dedicated to the service of the nation, whether I am within the confines of jail or outside,” Kejriwal told the media during his court appearance.
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor-General SV Raju, representing the Enforcement Directorate, asserted that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal played a pivotal role in the implementation of a controversial policy, allegedly favoring a specific group in exchange for kickbacks. Raju claimed that statements corroborated Kejriwal’s involvement in demanding kickbacks and highlighted his alleged connection to the use of illicit funds. The Enforcement Directorate further alleged that ₹45 crore from these kickbacks were utilized to finance the AAP’s electoral campaigns in Goa and Punjab in 2022, contributing to the party’s national standing.
“We have examined the money trail. The funds in Goa were routed through four channels. These claims are substantiated by one of AAP’s candidates who received cash payments,” Raju elaborated while arguing the case.
Characterizing Kejriwal as “the mastermind behind the party,” the probe agency attributed full responsibility for AAP’s operations to him. Raju also highlighted how Kejriwal not appear before the ED disregarding nine summons issued by the probing agency.
Addressing the involvement of Mr. Nair, the Additional Solicitor General told the court that he resided in a property linked to Kailash Gahlot, Delhi’s Transport Minister, and acted as an intermediary between the southern group and AAP.
Kejriwal’s legal representative, senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, challenged the necessity of his client’s arrest, arguing that the power to arrest does not inherently justify its execution. Singhvi contested the Enforcement Directorate’s assertion of tracing the money trail, asserting the absence of direct implication. He criticized the agency’s practice of detaining individuals, contesting bail, and later coercing them to cooperate as witnesses.
Singhvi underscored the need for the Enforcement Directorate to establish Kejriwal’s direct involvement, questioning the basis for his arrest and custody.
कायर तानाशाह से देशभक्त डरा नहीं करते 💪
“मेरा जीवन देश के लिए समर्पित है
चाहे अंदर रहूँ या बाहर रहूँ”– CM @ArvindKejriwal #देश_केजरीवाल_के_साथ_है pic.twitter.com/K38MhgpJQp
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) March 22, 2024
ਕੇਂਦਰ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਚਾਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਧਿਰ ਦਾ ਕੋਈ ਵੀ ਆਗੂ ਲੋਕ ਸਭਾ ਦੀਆਂ ਚੋਣਾਂ 'ਚ ਪ੍ਰਚਾਰ ਨਾ ਕਰ ਸਕੇ… ਇਸ ਲਈ ਅਰਵਿੰਦ ਕੇਜਰੀਵਾਲ ਨੂੰ ਰਾਤ ਦੇ ਸਮੇਂ ED ਵੱਲੋਂ ਗ੍ਰਿਫ਼ਤਾਰ ਕੀਤਾ ਗਿਆ… pic.twitter.com/kKepAKikFX
— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) March 22, 2024
Smt. @smritiirani addresses a press conference at party headquarters in New Delhi. https://t.co/jITZyxd3dL
— BJP (@BJP4India) March 22, 2024
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed solidarity with Arvind Kejriwal on Friday, portraying him as a patriot who will emerge as a stronger leader from the current ordeal. Speaking at a press conference, Mann emphasized that Kejriwal represents not just an individual but an idea. He accused the BJP of pursuing “dictatorship” and attempting to suppress opposition voices during the Lok Sabha polls.
“Where is democracy in this country? In Russia, (Vladimir) Putin got 88 percent of the votes. They are following Putin’s path,” Mann alleged, drawing parallels to the recent presidential election in Russia. Despite Kejriwal’s arrest, Mann affirmed his commitment to the opposition bloc INDIA, promising to continue attending meetings and organizing joint events with other opposition leaders under its banner.
Condemning the BJP’s actions, Mann asserted that the party is apprehensive of the AAP and Kejriwal’s influence. He dismissed the notion that Kejriwal’s arrest could derail the AAP, stating, “It’s an illusion of the BJP that they can derail the AAP through the arrest of Kejriwal. Crores of Kejriwals have been born in the country in the last 10 years.” Prior to his public statements, Mann visited Kejriwal’s family members at their residence in New Delhi, extending his support during this challenging time.
Union Minister and prominent BJP leader Smriti Irani retaliated against the AAP on Friday, alleging that the ruling party in Delhi had exploited the excise policy to fund elections, in response to the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Meanwhile, a delegation comprising leaders of the INDIA bloc parties lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India, accusing the ruling BJP of employing central agencies in a manner they deemed “unrelenting, blatant, and illegal” to suppress opposition parties. In their memorandum submitted to the EC, the INDIA party leaders outlined a series of recent incidents wherein central agencies targeted opposition parties, citing this as evidence of an unfair electoral environment for the opposition.
Additionally, the leaders recommended that the poll panel consider rotating the heads of probe agencies during the election period to guarantee impartiality and fairness in the electoral process.