During the Delhi High Court’s proceedings on Wednesday regarding Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s plea against his arrest by the ED in the liquor policy case, Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi raised concerns over the timing of the arrest, suggesting it raised democracy issues as now Kejriwal will not be able to participate in the electoral process. Singhvi, initiating the argument, characterized the arrest as an attempt to demolish the Aam Aadmi Party even before voters had cast their first ballots.
Singhvi questioned the urgency behind Kejriwal’s arrest, emphasizing that a level playing field is fundamental to free and fair elections, which are essential for democracy’s basic structure. He highlighted the period between October 30, 2023, the date of the first summons, and March 16, the date of the ninth summons, during which the ED reportedly found no substantial evidence supporting Section 50 of the PMLA. Kejriwal’s lawyer contended that the ED’s remand application sought to establish the chief minister’s role, which, he argued, should not be grounds for arrest.
Background
On April 1, Kejriwal was remanded to 15-day judicial custody by the Rouse Avenue court, prompting the Delhi High Court to hear his plea contesting the arrest. While Kejriwal retained his position as chief minister despite his incarceration in Tihar Jail, AAP MP Sanjay Singh secured bail in the same case on Tuesday. However, the Supreme Court clarified that Sanjay Singh’s bail couldn’t serve as a precedent in other cases.
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