New Delhi [India]: Sunita Kejriwal, the wife of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who was held by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the alleged excise policy scam a day before, on Friday said that the arrest of her husband is a "betrayal" with the people who have elected him to power thrice.
Sunita, in a post on X, hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that Kejriwal was arrested due to the PM's "arrogance of power."
"Modiji got your thrice elected Chief Minister arrested out of arrogance of power. He is trying to crush everyone. This is a betrayal of the people of Delhi. Your Chief Minister has always stood with you," she said in a post in Hindi.
She further said that Arvind Kejriwal's life is dedicated to the country, whether he is inside the jail or outside.
Kejriwal was arrested by the central agency late Thursday night on charges of corruption in relation to the case. It is the first time in independent India that a serving Chief Minister has been arrested. The move came after Kejriwal skipped multiple summons by the investigation agency, nine in total, calling them "illegal".
Earlier today, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was produced in Rose Avenue Court, as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) sought his 10-day custody in connection with the now-scrapped liquor policy.
Before appearing at the court, the Delhi CM said, "Whether I stay in jail, or outside, my life will be dedicated to serving the nation."
However, the court reserved its order on pleas by the ED seeking 10-day custody of Delhi CM Kejriwal.
Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared for the Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor, while Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju and Special Counsel Zoheb Hossain appeared for the central probe agency.
In its arguments before the court, the ED alleged that the Chief Minister of Delhi is the key conspirator and kingpin in demanding kickbacks from businessmen. The agency further claimed that Kejriwal was directly involved in the formation of the now-scrapped Excise policy.
The ED counsel claimed that Vijay Nair, who was the media in charge of AAP, was working for Delhi CM Kejriwal. Nair, who the agency said lives adjacent to the residence of Kejriwal and acted as a middleman between the AAP and the 'South Group'.
The ED counsel further claimed that the proceeds of crime are not only Rs 100 crore but profits made by bribe givers were also proceeds of crime. The counsel said that the agency had traced hawala trails of Rs 45 crore that were used in the Goa Elections.
ASG SV Raju said that AAP is a beneficiary, which exists as a company. Every person responsible for the conduct of the company is responsible. Apart from being liable as an individual, the CM is also vicariously liable.
The case pertains to alleged irregularities and money laundering in framing and implementing the Delhi excise policy 2022, which was later scrapped.
—ANI