Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of Delhi, was denied interim relief by the Delhi High Court on Wednesday. In addition to giving the ED until April 2 to respond to Kejriwal’s interim appeal for immediate release from ED custody, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma also sent notice to the investigating agency regarding the main lawsuit.
Arvind Kejriwal Claims His Arrest Is Unlawful
The leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), who was detained by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) till March 28, filed a petition in the high court contesting both the remand order issued by a lower court in relation to the excise policy case and his arrest by the agency. He requested his immediate release on Wednesday, claiming that the purpose of his arrest was to incapacitate him and his party rather than to obtain evidence.
Senior attorney Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, asked the high court to grant his release on Wednesday because his ED custody expires on Thursday. “Non-cooperation is one of the most abused phrases in the recent past since the ED has been active,” he stated.
Additionally, he said that Kejriwal’s arrest on election eve violated the fundamental principles of the Constitution. He asserted that Kejriwal did not need to be arrested as required by the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The Solicitor General Objects To Singhvi’s Request
Judge Sharma stated she would pass an order on the matter and post it later in the day. Earlier in the day, she had stated orally that she would issue a notice on the petition and give the ED time to file a reply.
Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, speaking on behalf of the ED, objected to Singhvi’s request for an early hearing of the main plea, stating that the lengthy petition was only served to them on Tuesday and that they should be given three weeks to present their case. He added that sufficient time should be allowed to reply to both temporary reliefs.
The ASG claimed there couldn’t be more than one attorney present, despite the fact that at least three advocates had attended the proceedings in the past and even on Wednesday on behalf of Kejriwal.
“If several attorneys show up for you, I’ll ask for three attorneys to represent ED. Let there be no unfair competition,” he declared.
“Not Only AAP But Arvind Kejriwal Shall Be Deemed Guilty”
According to the ED, the Aam Adami Party (AAP) is the primary recipient of the criminal earnings from the purported liquor fraud. In the excise policy case, it referred to him as the “kingpin and key conspirator” who worked with AAP leaders, ministers, and other individuals. The investigative agency said that Kejriwal was personally involved in the conspiracy to “favor certain persons” in the development of the excise policy and in “demanding kickbacks from liquor businessmen” in exchange for the favors accorded in the aforementioned policy.
Constructed in collaboration with AAP leader Vijay Nair, then Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, and members-representatives of the ‘South Group,’ the policy in question was being created with the ‘South Group’ in mind.
“Therefore, not only the AAP but Arvind Kejriwal shall be deemed to be guilty of offenses punishable under Section 4 of PMLA and shall be liable to be prosecuted and punished as provided under Section 70 of PMLA,” the organization stated.
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