The conspiracy, it has been alleged, stemmed from some of the loopholes “intentionally” left or created in the policy. These were allegedly meant to favour some licensees and conspirators post the tender process.
Several AAP leaders including former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Member of Parliament Sanjay Singh were arrested by the ED in connection with the case.
Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21 and then produced before Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court, which initially remanded him to ED custody till March 28.
The ED’s custody over him was later extended till April 1. Thereafter, he was sent to judicial custody and he continues to be lodged in Tihar jail.
Meanwhile, he challenged his arrest and remand before the High Court, which eventually refused him relief prompting the appeal before the apex court.
In his plea before the High Court, Kejriwal has contended that the Central government was misusing the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) – under which he was arrested – to create a non-level playing field in the lead up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The Central government is trying to skew the electoral process in the favour of the ruling party at the Centre (Bharatiya Janata Party), which controls the ED through the Ministry of Finance, Kejriwal has alleged.
Source: Barandbench
