‘Non-Cooperative’ Arvind Kejriwal Named Atishi During Interrogation: ED Tells Court

New Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal, who was sent to 15-day judicial custody on Monday, has been totally non-cooperative so far, Enforcement Directorate (ED) told a Delhi court.

Additional solicitor general (ASG) SV Raju, who appeared for ED, told the Rouse Avenue court that the Delhi chief minister, arrested in a money-laundering case linked to the now-scrapped controversial Delhi excise policy, has not been cooperating with the investigation.

“Arvind Kejriwal’s conduct has been totally non-cooperative and he has also tried to mislead the interrogation. He said Vijay Nair does not report to him, but to (Education minister) Atishi. Kejriwal is not sharing the password of his phone,” Raju said, as reported by Bar and Bench.

Nair, former communication-in-charge of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), is among the accused in the Delhi excise policy case.

Delhi ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bhardwaj as well as Kejriwal’s wife Sunita were present in the court during the hearing, PTI reported.

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

Kejriwal, who is being shifted ED custody to Tihar Jail, was produced in the court after his ED custody ended on Monday.

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

ED had arrested Kejriwal on March 21. The next day, Special judge Kaveri Baweja remanded him in the custody of ED till March 28, which was extended till April 1.

“The interrogation is complete. Why has he (Kejriwal) been sent to jail? The people of the country will answer to this dictatorship,” Kejriwal’s wife asked.