New Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal almost walked out of jail last week after a trial court granted him bail in a money-laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi liquor policy.
However, Enforcement Directorate (ED) challenged the order, which was stayed by Delhi High Court.
The Central Bureau of Investigation, which is also probing the case, then arrested Kejriwal from Tihar Jail on June 26.
On Saturday, Rouse Avenue Court accepted CBI’s plea and remanded the Delhi chief minister to 14-day judicial custody.
The central probe agency sought a 14-day judicial remand for Kejriwal – who was produced in court after his three-day CBI custody ended on Saturday – arguing that his incarceration was required in the “interest of the investigation and justice.”
CBI said in its remand application that Kejriwal did not cooperate during custodial interrogation and also deliberately provided evasive answers which contradicted the evidence on record.
“On being confronted with the evidence, he did not give a proper and truthful explanation regarding the enhancement of profit margin for wholesalers from 5 per cent to 12 per cent under the new excise policy of Delhi 2021-22, without any study or justification,” the plea stated.
“He also could not explain as to why during the peak of second wave of COVID-19, cabinet approval for revised excise policy was obtained through circulation in a hurried manner within one day, when the accused persons of the South Group were camping in Delhi and holding meetings with his close associate Vijay Nair,” CBI further contended.
Kejriwal will remain in jail till July 12 when he will be presented in Rouse Avenue Court again via video conferencing.