Arvind Kejriwal ‘non-cooperative’, named Atishi during interrogation: ED tells Delhi court

Additional solicitor general (ASG) SV Raju, appearing for the Enforcement Directorate, on Monday, April 1, alleged that Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, arrested in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy, was not cooperating with the investigation.

“Arvind Kejriwal’s conduct has been totally non-cooperative and he has tried to mislead the interrogation. He said Vijay Nair does not report to me but to Atishi. Kejriwal is not sharing the password for his phone,” SV Raju argued, reported by Bar and Bench.

When special judge Kaveri Baweja asked how far are these arguments relevant to the application for judicial custody, the ASG replied, “We reserve the right to seek his ED custody at a later stage.”

AAP ministers Atishi, Saurabh Bhardwaj and Arvind Kejriwal’s wife Sunita Kejriwal were present in the court during the hearing, news agency PTI reported.

Arvind Kejriwal’s lawyers, meanwhile, moved an application to allow Kejriwal to read three books in the jail – Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana and How Prime Ministers Decide. He also sought permission for a special diet and to have a religious locket.

The Rouse Avenue Court then sent Arvind Kejriwal to judicial custody till April 15 in the excise policy-linked money laundering case.

Arvind Kejriwal was produced in the court after his Enforcement Directorate custody came to an end on Monday.

Speaking to reporters before entering court, the AAP leader said, “Whatever the prime minister is doing(referring to his arrest) is not good for the country”.

The ED had arrested Arvind Kejriwal on March 21 in connection with the case. The next day, Judge Baweja remanded him in the custody of the ED till March 28.

Following this, the court allowed the ED’s plea requesting an extension of his custodial interrogation by four days till April 1.

In its remand application, the probe agency has accused the AAP leader of “being involved in the entire conspiracy of Delhi liquor scam, in drafting and implementation of the policy, for favouring and benefiting the quid pro receiving kickbacks and eventually using part of proceeds of crime generated out of the scheduled offence in the election campaign for Goa Assembly elections”.