“The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday filed its response in the Delhi High Court challenging the petition challenging the arrest of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the VAT policy case.”

The investigating agency opposed the plea of the Aam Aadmi Party leader, stating in court that they are the “kingpin” and “chief conspirator” of the scam.

The Chief Minister of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, Mr. Arvind Kejriwal, along with ministers of the Delhi government, AAP leaders, and other individuals, have been identified as the mastermind and key conspirators of the Delhi VAT scam through collusion. Mr. Arvind Kejriwal was directly involved in orchestrating the VAT scam. This was stated in the policy of 2021-22.

The Enforcement Directorate claimed to have issued nine summons to Kejriwal to cooperate in the investigation, but he deliberately ignored all notices on trivial grounds.

The investigation agency further reiterated that AAP was a major beneficiary of the proceeds of the liquor policy scam. A significant portion of the proceeds, amounting to approximately 45 crore rupees, was in the form of cash. It has been alleged that this was used in AAP’s election campaign during the Goa Legislative Assembly elections in 2022.

Last week, the High Court had rejected Kejriwal’s plea for interim relief and issued a notice to the ED on his petition seeking immediate release. The court will hear the matter again on Wednesday (April 3rd).

In its previous hearing, the court stated that the respondent (ED) should be given an opportunity to submit its response, and refusing this opportunity would amount to denying a fair hearing. This comment came after Solicitor General S.V. Kale appeared for the ED. Raju, representing the ED, stated that Kejriwal’s lawyers did not serve the petition to the agency.

Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma stated, “This court is mindful of the fact that to arrive at the conclusion whether the petitioner/Arvind Kejriwal is entitled to immediate release or not, this court will have to decide on the issues raised in the main petition.” Because these issues are the basis of the arguments presented by the learned senior counsel for the petitioner seeking immediate release.

The Chief Minister was arrested on March 21st and remained in ED custody until April 1st when a city court remanded him to judicial custody until April 15th.

On Monday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) stated in its remand report that during questioning, Kejriwal was giving “evasive answers” and “hiding information” regarding the production policy matter.

During his interrogation, Kejriwal purportedly informed the central agency that he had “limited” conversations with his AAP communication chief, Vijay Nayar, who had already been arrested in the case, and Nayar used to report to his cabinet colleagues, Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj. Even more so

In its remand report, the ED stated that when questioned about the comments made by AAP’s national treasurer, N.D. Gupta, regarding party matters, the Chief Minister referred to them as “confusing.”

After being sent to judicial custody, Kejriwal was taken to Delhi’s Tihar Jail on Monday afternoon. According to officials, he has been lodged in Jail Number 2.

In the same case, Kejriwal’s former deputy, Manish Sisodia, is detained in Jail Number 1, while the BJP leader’s wife, Kavita, is in Jail Number 6 of the women’s section.