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New Delhi: During his interrogation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal reportedly stated that Vijay Nair, a key figure in the alleged liquor scam, did not report to him but to Ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj. This revelation was made by Assistant Solicitor General SV Raju in court on Monday.
Arvind Kejriwal named Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj during interrogation. Kejriwal, who has been sent to judicial custody until April 15, disclosed that Nair, a former CEO of events company Only Much Louder (OML) associated with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), was under the purview of Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj, rather than himself.
This is the first time the names of Atishi and Saurabh have been mentioned in court proceedings. Both ministers were present when the ED’s lawyer cited Kejriwal’s statement. Notably, AAP MP Sanjay Singh and Manish Sisodia are already in Tihar Jail for their alleged involvement in the liquor scam.
Kejriwal’s arrest marks a significant development in the AAP’s history, as he becomes the latest high-profile leader to face legal action. He joins his party colleagues in Tihar Jail, including Satyendar Jain, albeit in connection with a separate money laundering case.
In a related development, AAP Rajya Sabha MP ND Gupta implicated Atishi in the ED Excise Policy case, stating that she served as the party’s election-in charge in Goa.
The ED, concluding Kejriwal’s custody, presented him in a Delhi court where the agency requested judicial custody, citing his lack of cooperation. Kejriwal’s consistent response of ‘I don’t know’ to questions raised concerns, leading to the ED’s demand for 15-day judicial custody, which was granted.
Kejriwal’s arrest on March 21 followed his evasion of nine ED summons. Described as the “kingpin” in the case by the ED, he was initially remanded till March 28, with the remand later extended until April 1. Subsequently, he was sent to judicial custody.
