Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, amidst swirling allegations and legal proceedings, staunchly proclaimed his unwavering dedication to the nation.
Addressing reporters before his remand hearing at the Rouse Avenue Court on Friday, Kejriwal declared, “My life is dedicated to the country whether I am inside or outside the prison.”
The remarks came as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) named Kejriwal as the purported ‘liquor scam kingpin’ and sought his custody till March 28 in connection with the alleged Delhi excise policy case.
The ED, during arguments, accused Kejriwal of being the central figure in soliciting kickbacks from businessmen and orchestrating the formation of the Excise policy.
According to the ED’s claims presented in court, Vijay Nair, identified as the media in charge of the Aam Admi Party (AAP), allegedly acted as a middleman between Kejriwal’s office and business entities. The agency further alleged that proceeds of crime amounted to a staggering Rs 100 crore, with bribe givers allegedly funneling profits through illicit means, including Hawala transactions linked to the Goa Election.
Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, vehemently opposed the ED’s remand plea, underscoring the distinction between the power and necessity of arrest.
Singhvi highlighted the historic nature of the arrest, stating, “In the history of 75 years of independence, this is the first time a sitting CM is arrested.”
Kejriwal’s arrest follows a series of developments related to the excise policy case, including the recent detention of Bharat Rashta Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha and AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh.
Sisodia, the former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, and Singh, a Rajya Sabha member, are currently in judicial custody in connection with the same case.
The excise policy case centers on alleged irregularities and money laundering in the framing and execution of the Delhi excise policy of 2022, which was subsequently annulled. K
ejriwal’s arrest underscores the intensifying legal scrutiny facing political figures across party lines, with implications reaching into the highest echelons of governance.