Liquor Policy Case: ED alleges Rs 100 crore bribe demand by Arvind Kejriwal

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 Kejriwal’s petition seeking regular bail in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case.

ED's allegations

The 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 laundering

ASG Raju highlighted that the rejection of bail applications for co-accused, including former Delhi minister Manish Sisodia, indicated the court's acceptance of the money laundering charges. “The court's 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.

Kejriwal's court appearance

Kejriwal was presented before the court via video conference, where his legal team contested the ED's claims.

Defense arguments

Vikram Chaudhary, Kejriwal’s 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 CBI’s 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 Court's order

Chaudhary 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 credibility

Chaudhary 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 Kejriwal's arrest took place in March 2024, just before the elections. There is also a malice behind the timing of Kejriwal's arrest,” he added.