After Delhi HC rejects plea, Kejriwal moves SC against arrest
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has moved the Supreme Court challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy. This move comes after the Delhi High Court rejected his plea against the arrest. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener's legal representative, is set to present their case before Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Wednesday, seeking an urgent hearing.
Why does this story matter?
On Tuesday, the HC dismissed Kejriwal's objections to his arrest, ruling that the federal agency had no other option but to act after the CM failed to respond to multiple summonses in a money laundering investigation. The ED has accused Kejriwal of playing a significant role in both utilizing and hiding alleged illicit funds generated through the alleged excise policy scam. Notably, on March 21, Kejriwal became the first sitting CM to be arrested by a law enforcement agency.
AAP expresses confidence in Supreme Court appeal
After the Delhi HC's decision, the AAP announced that Kejriwal would be taking his fight to the Supreme Court. AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said, "We believe it will grant relief to CM Kejriwal, as it did to Sanjay Singh." He further added, "We disagree with the Delhi High Court's order." To recall, Singh, who was also implicated in the excise policy case, was recently granted bail by the Supreme Court.
What did Delhi HC say
The Delhi High Court upheld Kejriwal's arrest and remand by the ED as "valid." Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma of the bench stated that there was sufficient evidence in the ED's possession which justified their action against Kejriwal. The ED, which has tagged Kejriwal as the "kingpin" of the alleged scam, had opposed his petition. It said, "Aam aadmi has to go behind bars if he has committed a crime...because you are a chief minister you can't be arrested?"
What is the excise policy case
The case revolves around alleged irregularities and money laundering in the creation and execution of the excise policy 2021-22, which was later rescinded. The ED has alleged that the AAP is a significant beneficiary of the illicit funds generated from the "scam." It has also alleged that the money was funneled into the party's poll campaign for Goa and Punjab. Former Delhi Minister Manish Sisodia and Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader K Kavitha are currently incarcerated in relation to this case.
