New Delhi: The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi has extended the judicial custody of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal until July 3. This decision came during a hearing on Kejriwals petition seeking regular bail in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case.EDs allegationsThe Enforcement Directorate (ED) presented evidence in court, claiming that Kejriwal had demanded Rs 100 crore as kickbacks related to the now-scrapped liquor policy. Additional Solicitor General SV Raju informed the court that it had taken cognisance of the chargesheet, which includes allegations of money laundering.Evidence of money launderingASG Raju highlighted that the rejection of bail applications for co-accused, including former Delhi minister Manish Sisodia, indicated the courts acceptance of the money laundering charges. “The courts cognisance of money laundering shows that prima facie the court is convinced that a case of money laundering is made here. The CBI probe revealed that Kejriwal had demanded a bribe of Rs 100 crore. We had collected evidence even before the arrest,” Raju stated.Kejriwals court appearanceKejriwal was presented before the court via video conference, where his legal team contested the EDs claims.Defense argumentsVikram Chaudhary, Kejriwals lawyer, argued that Kejriwal had not been named in any chargesheet filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). He emphasized that even in the CBIs FIR, Kejriwal was not listed as an accused. Whatever allegations the ED is making, it seems that they are prosecuting me not under the PMLA but in the CBI case, Chaudhary said.Supreme Courts orderChaudhary pointed out that the Supreme Court, in its May 10 order, had allowed Kejriwal to file a bail petition in the lower court.Questioning witness credibilityChaudhary also questioned the credibility of the witnesses, suggesting they were coerced into giving statements in exchange for bail. “They were promised pardon... they are not saints. These people were lured. The credibility of these people is also questioned. The whole case started in August 2022 and Kejriwals arrest took place in March 2024, just before the elections. There is also a malice behind the timing of Kejriwals arrest,” he added.
