THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, April 15: In response to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s plea contesting his arrest in a money-laundering case linked to the purported excise policy scam/ liquor scam, the Supreme Court on Monday sought a response from the Enforcement Directorate.
Next hearing on April 29
Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta’s bench has issued a notice to the ED regarding Kejriwal’s petition contesting the Delhi High Court’s decision affirming his arrest in the case.
The bench announced that the matter would be heard on April 29 and asked the ED to submit a response to the plea by April 24.
Delhi HC declared Kejriwal’s arrest valid
The Delhi High Court denied his appeal on April 9, stating that remand cannot be deemed “illegal” and that Kejriwal’s arrest does not violate any laws.
The Delhi High Court in its ruling noted that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had few alternatives left after the chief minister repeatedly ignored summonses and declined to participate in the investigation.
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Kejriwal lost his appeal against his ED detention and subsequent remand in the ED’s custody, as the high court rejected it.
The high court went on to say that it believes the accused has been arrested and that his arrest and remand should be reviewed in accordance with the law, not in relation to when the elections are being held.
The court stated that Kejriwal’s objection to the timing of his arrest ahead of the general elections, without any evidence of malicious intent from the ED, is not justifiable.
Kejriwal arrested on March 21
Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested CM Arvind Kejriwal on March 21, and subsequently, the trial court decided to keep him in judicial custody until April 15. The ED has accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of being the primary recipient of the proceeds of crime linked to the purported liquor scam.
The ED further alleged that Kejriwal had direct involvement in shaping the excise policy.
He remains in judicial custody until April 15 and is presently held in Tihar Jail.
