Kejriwal giving ‘misleading replies’ during questioning: ED tells court

The Enforcement Directorate on Monday told a Delhi court that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was giving “misleading replies” and “concealing information” during his questioning in connection with the excise policy case.

Kejriwal, who was arrested on March 21, had been in the agency’s custody since then. 

On Monday, the special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court of Judge Kaveri Baweja sent him to judicial custody till April 15.

The central agency alleged that Kejriwal, during his questioning, said AAP communication in-charge Vijay Nair did not report to him but to his cabinet colleagues Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj and that his interaction with Nair was "limited".

The chief minister also called AAP national treasurer N.D. Gupta "confused" when he was confronted with his statement on issues related to the affairs of the party.

The ED claimed that Kejriwal first told it that N.D. Gupta, also a Rajya Sabha member of the AAP, is an "active member of the party and is a member of the PAC and has knowledge of the party functioning but when confronted with the statement of Sh N.D. Gupta wherein he (Gupta) reveals that the national convenor takes such decisions, Sh Arvind Kejriwal calls the National Treasurer confused".

The central agency further claimed that when Kejriwal was asked why Vijay Nair was staying in the bungalow of a cabinet minister (Kailash Gahlot) and worked at the CM's camp office, he claimed "unawareness" about the persons who worked at his camp office.

The ED showed "evidence" about more than 10 meetings that Nair had with other co-accused named in this case including liquor manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and even middlemenand was asked under what authority he was attending these meetings.

The agency said Kejriwal "evaded" the question by saying he was unaware about these persons.

On Monday afternoon, Kejriwal was taken to Tihar jail in Delhi after he was sent to the judicial custody. According to officials, he will be lodged in Jail number 2.

Kejriwal's former deputy Manish Sisodia, who is in jail in connection with the same case, is lodged in Jail number 1, while BRS leader K Kavitha is in Jail number 6 of the women's jail.