Arvind Kejriwal's Plea Against ED Arrest to be Heard Tomorrow by Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court is set to hear tomorrow the plea filed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the subsequent order of remand to ED custody in the Delhi Excise Policy case.

Kejriwal, who moved the High Court on March 23, sought relief against his arrest by the ED on March 21 and the trial court's decision to remand him to ED custody until March 28.

Despite a plea for an urgent hearing, the High Court deferred it to the scheduled date.

The ED contends that Kejriwal played a pivotal role in the alleged Delhi Excise Policy scam case.

The genesis of the ED's money laundering investigation lies in a case filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on August 17, 2022, following a complaint by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on July 20, 2022. The complaint alleges irregularities in the Delhi Excise Policy for 2021-22.

The case suggests a coordinated effort by AAP leaders, including former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, to exploit policy loopholes to favor select liquor licensees.

Both Sisodia and AAP Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Sanjay Singh are already in custody in connection with the case.

In a recent development, on March 15, 2024, the ED arrested K Kavitha, daughter of Bharat Rashtra Samiti legislator and former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, in connection with the same case.

Kejriwal's plea before the Delhi High Court seeks to challenge the legality of his arrest and the custodial remand imposed by the trial court. The outcome of tomorrow's hearing will be closely watched as it could have significant ramifications on the ongoing investigation and the political landscape in Delhi.

Author: Anushka Taraniya

News Writer, MIT ADT University