Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, and K Kavitha, a lawmaker from Telangana and member of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), find themselves entangled in a legal saga following their recent arrests in connection with an alleged liquor policy scam. Currently held in Delhi’s Tihar Jail, both politicians have been ordered to remain in extended judicial custody for 14 days.
Their arrests, which occurred just weeks before the commencement of the Lok Sabha elections, have sparked a flurry of legal proceedings and political controversies. Kejriwal, in particular, has been embroiled in a legal battle, challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate on charges of money laundering. Despite his plea pending in the Supreme Court, immediate relief was denied, with the court scheduling a hearing for April 29, shortly after the second phase of elections.
Meanwhile, Kavitha awaits the outcome of her bail plea, scheduled for May 2 in Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court. Her arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the same case has intensified the legal drama surrounding the alleged scam. Both Kejriwal and Kavitha have vehemently denied the accusations leveled against them, attributing their arrests to what they claim is political vendetta orchestrated by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
In a concerning development, Kejriwal’s health has come under scrutiny due to his diabetic condition. After reportedly going 32 days without insulin, he received his first shot following a spike in his blood sugar levels to a critical 320 mg/dl. The court, in response to his health concerns, has directed specialists from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to assess his condition and determine the necessity of insulin injections.
The case, which revolves around allegations of bribery and corruption related to liquor licenses, has also ensnared other leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh. Despite the arrests, investigating agencies have yet to recover any alleged bribe money, a fact highlighted by the Supreme Court during bail hearings. This lack of tangible evidence has led to questions about the legitimacy of the charges and the motivations behind the arrests.
As the legal proceedings unfold and the political ramifications reverberate, the fate of Kejriwal, Kavitha, and their co-accused hangs in the balance, amidst allegations of political vendetta and a fervent defense of innocence.