New Delhi. On Tuesday (April 9), Delhi High Court refused to grant relief to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. CM Kejriwal had challenged his arrest in a money laundering case related to liquor policy. The High Court rejected this petition and considered the arrest valid. The court said that this is not a matter of bail. Arrest is a challenge. Also, the High Court said that ED’s remand after Kejriwal’s arrest cannot be considered illegal.
What did Delhi High Court say?
The court said that ED’s evidence so far shows that Kejriwal is a conspirator and Rs 45 crore was spent during the Goa elections. Kejriwal’s lawyers opposed this and referred to the statements of Sharath Reddy and Raghav Mungatta. The court said that the decision to become a government witness is taken by the investigating agency and not by it. If questions arise then it is a matter for the magistrate.
The High Court said that the investigation cannot be stopped on the basis of the claim of the accused. The court has nothing to do with politics. There is no special facility for CM. AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal had raised questions during the petition regarding the timing of the arrest by the agency. He had also said that this is a violation of the fundamental structure of democracy, fair elections and equal opportunities as per the Constitution.
The Delhi High Court dismissed CM Arvind Kejriwal’s plea challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in the excise policy money laundering case. pic.twitter.com/eEeALko7wU
— ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) April 9, 2024
What did ED say?
According to news agency PTI, ED opposed Arvind Kejriwal’s petition. The central agency said Kejriwal cannot claim immunity from arrest on the basis of elections as the law applies to him like any ordinary citizen.
It is noteworthy that ED had arrested Arvind Kejriwal on March 21 after a long interrogation at his residence. After this he was presented in the lower court on 22 March. Where the court sent him to ED custody till April 1. After this, on April 1, the court sent him to judicial custody till April 15. At present Chief Minister Kejriwal is in Tihar Jail.