In a high-octane courtroom drama, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday alleged a ‘political conspiracy’ behind his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection to the money laundering case related to a controversial liquor policy case in the national capital. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo was produced in Delhi’s Rouse Avenue court in-person on Thursday as his custody with the agency came to an end.
Detailing several things related to the case, Kejriwal questioned whether the ED has enough reasons to arrest a sitting Chief Minister with no case filed against him.
Kejriwal made the submissions as the Enforcement Directorate produced him in the court of Special Judge Kaveri Baweja and sought seven-day further custody, arguing he needs to be confronted with some people linked with the case.
The ED said the AAP supremo was giving evasive replies and not disclosing passwords of his digital devices.
Kejriwal Addresses Court In-person
- Addressing the court, Kejriwal said that till now there has been no convictions or allegations against him. “This case has been going on for the past two years. I have been arrested and till now there has been no convictions or allegations against me. Till now there has been 31,000 pages submitted before the court and various statements have been recorded. My name is in just four statements,” the Chief Minister said.
- In his submissions, Kejriwal questioned, “I am named by four witnesses in the excise policy case. Are 4 statements enough to arrest a sitting CM?”
- Stating that no charges has been levelled against him, Kejriwal said, “The case was filed on August 17, two years back. No court has found me guilty. There are no charges against me nor has any case been filed against me. But I have been arrested.”
- “Sarath Reddy donated Rs 55 crore to BJP. I have evidence that this racket is going on. Money trail is established. After being arrested, he donated ₹ 50 crore to BJP. Out of the seven statements, my name did not appear in six statements, but as soon as my name was mentioned in the seventh statement the witness was released. A Chief Minister is arrested on the basis of just four statements whereas the ED has thousands of pages proving my innocence,” he added.
- A smokescreen of the Aam Aadmi Party being corrupt has been created in front of the nation, he said and added that he is ready to face ED probe.
- Accusing the agency of trying to crush AAP, “If there is a scam of Rs 100 crore then where has the money of the scam gone? Actually, the scam started after the ED investigation. We are okay with keeping us on remand for as many days the ED wants. The ED has two objectives. One is to destroy the AAP and create a smokescreen and run an extortion racket behind it through which they are collecting money.”
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