News Brief
Nishtha Anushree
Apr 01, 2024, 02:52 PM | Updated 02:52 PM IST
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The hearing over Arvind Kejriwal's judicial custody in the liquor policy case took an interesting turn when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) mentioned about Delhi Chief Minister naming Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi.
Representing ED, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju said that Arvind Kejriwal has tried to mislead the interrogation by saying that Vijay Nair does not report to him but to Delhi Water Minister Atishi.
Vijay Nair was AAP’s communication in-charge and was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on 27 September 2022 in the Delhi liquor policy case.
The ED has alleged that Kejriwal was the middleman between the 'south group' and other accused, including ex-Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia (arrested last year) and AAP officer Vijay Nair.
Interstingly, Atishi was present in the court when her name came up in the case. Kejriwal's wife Sunita and another AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj were also present.
Claiming that Kejriwal's conduct has been "totally non-cooperative" and that is not sharing the password for his phone, the ED sought his judicial custody.
Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court then sent Kejriwal to judicial custody till April 15 on the order of Special CBI Judge Kaveri Baweja. Kejriwal sought permission to have a special diet and medicines while being in judicial custody.
He also sought permission to read three books Bhagvad Geeta, Ramayana and How Prime Ministers Decide by journalist Neerja Chaudhary and to keep wearing his religious locket.
Nishtha Anushree is Senior Sub-editor at Swarajya. She tweets at @nishthaanushree.