Arvind Kejriwal Arrest: AAP Sources Refute Enforcement Directorate Claims

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has scoffed at the Enforcement Directorate's claim that the phone used by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal two years ago, when the liquor scam was allegedly taking place, is missing. 

The probe agency has claimed that 170 phones -- belonging to 36 accused -- could not be located.

AAP sources alleged that the investigation of the Enforcement Directorate "is conducted from the BJP office". The Enforcement Directorate, they alleged, is the "political partner of the BJP".

Seventeen phones have been found from which data has been recovered, the ED has mentioned in its chargesheet in which senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia has been named as an accused.

Investigators have alleged that the rest of the phones have been broken to destroy evidence. So far, phones and laptops have provided the maximum amount of evidence in the case, the agency had said in the chargesheet.

Delhi minister and AAP leader Atishi slammed the ED, asking whether it is a political party that plants news. "The ED is supposed to be an independent investigating agency. If it has something to say, then they should file a chargesheet and say it in front of a judge. The BJP is fighting its political and electoral battle by hiding behind the ED. They should stop doing that," Atishi said.

"I would like to tell all the officers of the ED that the Constitution and the law have given you some power, so do not violate this Constitution, do not kill the Constitution. You are not a subsidiary organisation of the BJP. You are an independent investigative agency created under the laws of this country," Atishi said.

Mr Kejriwal, arrested late on Thursday evening, is being questioned by the ED. He will be in the custody of the agency till March 28.

The Delhi Chief Minister has been discharging his duties from the ED lock-up, his party has claimed. On Sunday, he had issued his first order since arrest regarding drinking water and drainage in the national capital, Delhi minister Atishi said.