Arvind Kejriwal
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has vehemently opposed the interim bail plea of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is currently lodged in Tihar Jail in connection with the liquor policy case. In its submission to the Supreme Court, the ED asserted that the attempt to secure his release under the pretext of elections sets a dangerous precedent. It emphasized that never before has interim bail been granted to a candidate based on electoral considerations. The ED cautioned against establishing a precedent that could impede the arrest or detention of political leaders, given the frequent occurrence of elections in the country. According to an affidavit filed by the ED, there have been 123 elections held across the nation in the past five years alone.
The ED further argued that granting interim relief on the grounds of election campaigning would create a disparity between politicians and ordinary citizens, undermining the principle of equality before the law. It emphasized that politicians, including Kejriwal, should not be afforded special privileges beyond those granted to the general public. Alluding to a specific instance, the ED referenced the arrest of Sarath Reddy on November 10, 2022, which was captured under CCTV surveillance.
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During the court proceedings, it was requested that all statements be provided to the petitioner. However, the ED suggested that there were additional pertinent details yet to be disclosed. This underscores the ED’s commitment to thorough and transparent legal proceedings in the pursuit of justice.
