The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): On Tuesday, the Supreme Court raised questions regarding the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) prolonged investigation into the money laundering allegations tied to the defunct Delhi liquor policy involving Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The Court has demanded that the ED present three sections of the case file for review of the investigating officer’s notes.
During the hearing of Kejriwal’s challenge against his arrest, a bench consisting of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta examined a note from Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, representing the ED. Raju addressed Kejriwal’s claim that the approvers’ statements were hidden by the ED.
The justices are contemplating granting interim bail due to the ongoing elections, stipulating that Kejriwal should abstain from office duties to avoid influencing government operations. This was discussed while hearing his interim bail application, as reported by Live Law. Kejriwal’s lawyer, Abhishek Singhvi, assured that the Chief Minister would not engage with official documents, requesting that the Delhi Lieutenant Governor not halt administrative processes on these grounds.
The Supreme Court has instructed the ED to furnish parts of the case file pertaining to different phases of the investigation, including the periods before the arrests of Sarath Reddy and Manish Sisodia, and before Kejriwal’s own detention. This request aims to scrutinize the notes of the officer in charge and address why the investigation has spanned over two years without substantial findings.
Additionally, the Court criticized the ED for not directly questioning witnesses and the accused more effectively. It is anticipated that the Court may approve Kejriwal’s interim bail in the next session, as the trial is expected to extend further.
Kejriwal was detained by the ED on March 21 and remains in judicial custody at Tihar Jail. Following an April 15 notice, the Supreme Court sought the ED’s response to Kejriwal’s appeal against his arrest. Earlier, on April 9, the Delhi High Court had endorsed Kejriwal’s arrest, highlighting his repeated failures to respond to summonses and participate in the investigation.