SC to hear Kejriwal's plea against his arrest today
The Supreme Court will on Monday hear Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's petition. The plea challenges his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering probe linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy. Kejriwal moved the top court challenging a Delhi High Court judgment that dismissed his plea on April 9. The court had rejected his argument of political vendetta amid the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Why does this story matter?
Kejriwal was arrested on March 21, and is currently lodged in Tihar Jail under judicial custody, which is set to end today. The CM had moved the Delhi HC questioning his arrest's timing, implying it interfered with the 2024 polls and breached constitutional principles. The court, however, 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.
What did Delhi HC say
On April 9, the Delhi HC 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?"
Believe SC will grant relief to SC: Bharadwaj
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 is Delhi 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alleged irregularities and money laundering in the creation and execution of the excise policy 2021-22, which was later rescinded.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.
