On Wednesday, the Delhi High Court deferred its decision on the petition filed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who contests his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection to the money laundering case associated with the purported liquor policy scam.

As of now, Kejriwal remains in judicial custody following his arrest on the night of March 21. Initially, on March 22, the trial court ordered him to be held in ED custody for six days, which was later extended by an additional four days. Subsequently, on April 1, he was further remanded to judicial custody until April 15.

Earlier, Justice Sharma had declined to grant interim relief to Kejriwal, instead issuing notice on his plea contesting the arrest and his interim application requesting immediate release. Responding to the petition, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) asserted that Kejriwal played a central role as the mastermind and primary conspirator in the excise scam. The ED further stated that based on the evidence in its possession, there were substantial grounds to believe that Kejriwal was involved in money laundering offenses.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has additionally alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was the primary beneficiary of the proceeds generated from the criminal activity and has implicated Kejriwal as the conduit through which these offenses were committed.

“The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is the major beneficiary of the proceeds of crime generated in the Delhi Liquor Scam. Sh Arvind Kejriwal was and is not only the brain behind the AAP but also controls its major activities, he was also one of the founding members and was also involved in the decision making of the policy as evident from the statements of the witnesses,” the response said.