NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said his life is dedicated to the nation whether he is inside jail or outside jail.He made this observation after the Enforcement Directorate on Friday produced the Delhi Chief Minister before the Rouse Avenue court here and sought his 10-day custody in the excise policy-linked money laundering case. The court in its order sent Kejriwal to a six-day custody.Kejriwal was produced before Special Judge Kaveri Baweja around 2 pm amid tight security on and around the court premises.”My life is dedicated to the service of the nation whether I am inside or outside (jail),” Kejriwal told TV9 Network while he was being produced in the court. This was Kejriwal’s first reaction after being arrested by the ED on Thursday night.Kejriwal was the key conspirator in the alleged liquor scam along with other ministers and leaders of AAP, the ED told the court, adding that he received several crores of rupees as kickbacks from ‘South group’ for formulating, implementing the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy.A betrayal with people of Delhi: CM Kejriwal’s wife on his arrestKejriwal demanded Rs 100 crore from some accused from ‘South group’ for contesting the Punjab elections, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, who is appearing for the agency, told the court.The law officer said the money trail showed that Rs 45 crore “kickback” used in Goa elections came from four hawala routes.He said the statements of the accused and witnesses have been corroborated by Call Detail Records (CDR).ASG S V Raju is appearing for the agency, while Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi is representing Kejriwal.Kejriwal was produced in the trial court around 2 pm amid tight security on and around the court premises. It happened shortly after he withdrew from the Supreme Court his plea against his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in the excise policy-linked money laundering case.Kejriwal’s counsel had said that he would contest the remand proceedings before the trial court and then come back to the apex court with another petition.Kejriwal had moved the Supreme Court late Thursday. He was arrested hours after the Delhi High Court refused to grant protection from any coercive action by the federal agency.#WATCH | Enforcement Directorate produces Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal before Rouse Avenue court following his arrest yesterday pic.twitter.com/xet3JmDjwc— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2024 Here’s everything you need to know about the ‘Delhi excise policy scam’Who said what on Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal arrest?Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj detained as AAP protests Arvind Kejriwal’s arrestMeanwhile, Delhi Cabinet ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj were detained as AAP leaders staged a protest against the BJP over the arrest of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate in the excise policy case.The two ministers were lodged in a police bus as officials asked protesters at the ITO intersection, which is near the AAP and BJP offices, to disperse in view of prohibitory orders under section 144 imposed in the area.”I have been detained by Delhi Police while peacefully protesting at ITO. First, these people arrest the Chief Minister of Delhi in false cases, and now those participating in peaceful protests are also being arrested. If this isn’t the murder of democracy, then what is?,” Atishi posted on X.Following Kejriwal’s arrest Thursday evening, the AAP had given a nationwide call for protest against the BJP.SC refuses bail to K Kavitha in ED case related to Delhi excise policy scamThe Supreme Court on Friday also refused to grant bail to BRS leader K Kavitha, who has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in the Delhi excise policy scam case.A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna, MM Sundresh and Bela M Trivedi asked Kavitha to approach the trial court, saying it is a practice which this court is following and cannot bypass the protocol.The bench said as far as Kavitha’s plea challenging the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) is concerned, the court is issuing notice to the ED and seeking its response in six weeks.Firm gave BJP Rs 25 crores in electoral bonds after director’s arrest in excise policy case: Saurabh Bharadwaj(With online desk inputs)
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