The Supreme Court is set to hear Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's plea challenging his arrest and remand by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the excise policy case on April 15.
The matter will be heard by a bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta. Kejriwal moved to the Supreme Court after the Delhi High Court dismissed his plea.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, who dismissed Kejriwal's plea, cited evidence indicating his involvement in the alleged scam. The High Court further stated that kickbacks received were purportedly used for political campaigning in the 2022 Goa legislative assembly elections.
The ED's money laundering probe originates from a case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) concerning alleged irregularities in the Delhi Excise Policy for 2021-22. This case was initiated based on a complaint by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena.
The alleged criminal conspiracy involved AAP leaders, including former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, and unidentified private entities during the policy's formulation.
Several AAP leaders, including Sisodia and Member of Parliament Sanjay Singh, have been arrested by the ED in connection with the case.
Kejriwal, arrested on March 21, was initially remanded to ED custody till March 28, which was later extended till April 1. Subsequently, he was placed under judicial custody until April 15.
In his plea before the High Court, Kejriwal argued that the Central government misused the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to influence the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in favor of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which controls the ED through the Ministry of Finance.
Presently lodged in Tihar Jail, Kejriwal awaits the Supreme Court's decision on his plea challenging the ED's actions.
Author: Anushka Taraniya
News writer, MIT ADT University
