Delhi HC Dismisses Arvind Kejriwal's Plea Challenging His Arrest

BY A STAFF REPORTER: In a blow to the Aam Aadmi Party, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday rejected Arvind Kejriwal's plea challenging his arrest stating that the Enforcement Directorate arrested him with enough evidence. 

A single-judge bench led by Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma stated that the arrest cannot be termed illegal as Arvind Kejriwal evidently conspired with others in the Delhi liquor-gate case. The HC also stated that Kejriwal was actively involved in taking kickbacks. Furthermore, the HC said that they cannot conduct a mini-trial as of now. Moreover, the Justice also emphasized that there will be no special privileges for CM Kejriwal. The HC also stated that the money trail in the Goa campaign has been established. 

The High Court asserted that the ED had sufficient material to arrest Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. Moreover, the HC stressed that the judges are bound by the law and not politics. They further said that the case is not between Kejriwal and the Central Government. The HC also stated that electoral bond buyers are not of their concern, referring to accused turned-approver Sarath Reddy. 

The Delhi HC heard Kejriwal's plea challenging his arrest along with the Trial Court's decision and reserved the order on April 3, Wednesday.

The authorities shifted Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to Tihar Jail and lodged him in jail number two following the orders of Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court on Monday. Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court granted Judicial custody of 15 days to Arvind Kejriwal in the Delhi Liquorgate on April 1, Monday. Previously, Kejriwal was under the Enforcement Directorate's custody in the Delhi excise policy case since his arrest.

The Enforcement Directorate arrested Delhi CM and AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal from his residence in connection with the Delhi Liquorgate case. He was arrested following search operations and Interrogations conducted by the ED at his residence on March 21, Thursday.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh walked out of the Tihar jail on Wednesday as the Supreme Court on Tuesday granted him bail as the ED failed to recover money pertinent to the scam. Moreover, he was arrested on October 4, 2023. However, the bail is not precedent.