The Rouse Avenue Court on Monday sent Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to judicial custody until April 15 in connection with the alleged excise policy scam case.
The order, accessed by News18, was issued by Special Judge Kaweri Baweja, who noted that Kejriwal is ‘highly influential’ and there is a possibility of him ‘influencing witnesses and tampering’ with evidence if released.
“The arrestee is highly influential and there is every likelihood the arrestee will influence the witnesses and tamper with the evidence, if released, it may hamper the ongoing investigation,” the order stated.
Baweja pointed out the complexity of the ongoing investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), emphasising that economic crimes, such as the one under investigation, are more intricate than ordinary crimes.
“The applicant/Department is still further investigating the role of the arrestee in the instant matter and is unearthing the further proceeds of crime and identifying the other person who are involved or connected with the process or activities related to proceeds of crime. Investigation into economic crimes is more complex than the ordinary crimes as economic offenders are resourceful and influential persons and commit the said crimes in a carefully planned and meticulous manner, thereby rendering the investigation process a complicated exercise,” the special judge noted.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief was arrested on March 21 by the central probe agency on allegations of being the “key conspirator” in a money laundering case. His arrest came shortly after the Delhi High Court rejected his plea for interim protection from arrest.
According to ED, Kejriwal received several crores of rupees as kickbacks from the so-called ‘South Group’ lobby of liquor traders for formulating the Delhi excise policy and using that capital in the Goa and Punjab assembly elections.
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