Delhi court extends Kejriwal's ED custody till April 1 in laundering case

Serious development has come in the continuous litigation for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and the Delhi court has extended the Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody of the Chief Minister until April 1. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja extended the remand following a hearing about the money laundering case linked to today's now-defunct Delhi excise policy.

The Chief Minister's arrest by the ED on March 21 sent shockwaves through political circles. He has been accused of being the "key conspirator" in the money laundering case under investigation. The arrest came soon after the Delhi High Court turned down his plea for interim protection from arrest.

Court Decision Delays Further Proceedings in High-Profile Financial Investigation

CM Arvind Kejriwal, who was first remanded to ED custody until March 28, faces an extended custodial investigation. The agency sought one more week of custody, but the court granted four more days at the agency's request.

At the hearing, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for the ED, argued that the respondent's replies to the questioning were evasive. One of those cited was his alleged refusal to disclose certain passwords and income tax returns. Raju quoted the ED as saying that "the laundered money was used to fund the election campaign of Aam Aadmi Party in Goa.

Remarkably, the Chief Minister addressed the court and did not oppose the ED's plea for remand extension: "I am not opposing the ED's plea for remand. They can keep me in custody for any number of days they want. But this is a scam." His statement exemplifies the political tension the case has generated and his resolve to fight.

Senior Advocate Ramesh Gupta appeared on behalf of Arvind Kejriwal and represented his legal interests at the hearing.

The extension of CM Arvind Kejriwal's police custody has raised a huge debate across political and legal circles. His supporters are accusing him of a political vendetta, while others argue for a thorough investigation into the allegations of financial irregularities.

This comes in a highly charged political atmosphere in Delhi and ahead of crucial elections in the national capital, which adds further complexity to the already contentious case.

However, the events surrounding the unfolding saga over CM Arvind Kejriwal's custody continue to attract public attention, with many left guessing how things are likely to develop further in this high-voltage legal tussle. As the case proceeds, it is yet to be decided how it will affect Delhi politics and beyond.