The Enforcement Directorate (ED) concluded its custody of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on April 1 regarding the excise policy case, and the investigative agency is set to present him in court for further proceedings.Earlier, on Thursday, a Delhi court extended the EDs custody of AAP convenor Kejriwal until April 1. Although the agency had sought a seven-day extension, the court directed Kejriwals appearance on April 1 at 11 am.During Kejriwals custodial interrogation, spanning over five days, the ED noted that he provided evasive replies to their inquiries. Additionally, the agency recorded statements from three other individuals relevant to the case during this period.The EDs remand plea detailed confrontations during Kejriwals custody, including interactions with C. Arvind, the former personal secretary to deputy CM Manish Sisodia, who received the draft Group of Ministers (GoM) report for the 2021–22 excise policy at the chief ministers residence. Moreover, the ED noted the recording of statements from an AAP candidate in the 2022 Goa elections, revealing that the candidates election expenditure was facilitated by the AAP Office in Delhi through associates.Data extraction from various digital devices, including the chief ministers wifes mobile phone, has been ongoing. However, data from four other devices seized from Kejriwals premises is yet to be accessed due to pending password and login credentials.The EDs application highlighted pending submissions of movable and immovable property details, income tax returns (ITRs), and other financial documents by Kejriwal and his family. Furthermore, the agency sought information on appointments made with the chief minister through his offices online portal.During the interrogation, summonses were issued to senior excise officials in Punjab, alleged to be involved in coercive actions against liquor wholesalers in Delhi. These officials reportedly disrupted operations or deliveries when demands for bribes were not met, citing the hooch tragedy in Sangrur as a reason for the postponement of summonses.Given these developments, the ED urged the court for a seven-day extension of Kejriwals custodial remand to continue their investigation effectively.
