The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): The Delhi High Court on Wednesday declined to provide interim relief to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in an excise policy case and is currently in the agency’s custody. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma has given the ED time until April 2 to file its reply to Kejriwal’s interim application seeking immediate release from custody and has also issued notice to the probe agency on the main petition.
Kejriwal, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo, moved the high court against his arrest by the ED and the remand order passed by a trial court in connection with the excise policy case. He argued that the object of his arrest was to disable him and his party and sought immediate release. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Kejriwal, urged the high court to order his client’s release on Wednesday since his ED custody ends on Thursday.
Singhvi contended that his client’s arrest on the cusp of elections was against the basic structure of the Constitution and claimed that there was no necessity to arrest Kejriwal as mandated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). He also argued that the challenge is to the foundation of arrest and that there are several “glaring issues” that need immediate decision by the high court.
Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, appearing for the ED, objected to Singhvi’s prayer for an early hearing of the main petition, stating that the voluminous petition was served upon them only on Tuesday and that three weeks’ time should be given to bring their stand on record. He also said that for interim relief as well, appropriate time should be given to respond.
Kejriwal’s plea contends that his arrest and the remand order passed by a trial court were illegal and that he was entitled to be released from custody immediately. The ED has alleged that the AAP is the major beneficiary of the proceeds of crime generated in the alleged liquor scam and termed Kejriwal the “kingpin and key conspirator” in the excise policy case in collusion with AAP ministers, leaders, and other persons.
The ED has claimed that Kejriwal was directly involved in the conspiracy of formulation of the excise policy to “favour certain persons” and also involved in “demanding kickbacks from liquor businessmen” in exchange for favours granted in the said policy. The agency alleges that the policy in question was being drafted considering the favours to be granted to the ‘South Group’ and was formed in collusion with AAP leader Vijay Nair, then Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, and members-representatives of the ‘South Group’.
The high court will hear the matter next on April 3, and the ED has been given time until April 2 to file its reply to Kejriwal’s interim application and the main petition. The ongoing legal battle highlights the political tensions surrounding the excise policy case and its potential impact on the upcoming elections.