Kejriwal Challenges ‘Illegal’ Arrest In High Court Amid Pre-Election Turmoil

Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal has taken his battle to the High Court, contesting what he deems an “illegal” arrest and subsequent remand by the Enforcement Directorate in connection to an alleged money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy scam. Seeking an urgent hearing, Kejriwal’s plea may be scheduled for consideration on Sunday, although sources within the High Court suggest it will likely be listed after Wednesday (March 27) due to the court’s Holi vacation.

A trial court, on Friday, had extended Kejriwal’s custody to the Enforcement Directorate until March 28 for further interrogation. Kejriwal, swiftly apprehended by the ED on Friday night, asserts in his plea that both his arrest and remand are unlawful and insists on immediate release.

The ED’s action followed the High Court’s refusal to shield Kejriwal from coercive measures by the central agency. This marks the third occasion within a week that the Chief Minister has approached the High Court seeking legal recourse.

Earlier petitions sought to annul all proceedings, including ED summonses, citing Kejriwal’s role as a vocal critic of the ruling party, an opposition leader, and a member of the INDIA bloc. Kejriwal alleges that the ED, being under central control, has been “weaponized” against him.

Despite the court seeking the ED’s stance on the matter and declining immediate relief, Kejriwal’s legal team returned the following day, seeking a directive to the ED to refrain from coercive measures until he could appear and respond to the summonses. However, the court declined to intervene, leading to Kejriwal’s arrest.

The case revolves around allegations of corruption and money laundering in the formulation and execution of the Delhi government’s excise policy for 2021-22, subsequently scrapped. High-ranking AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are currently in judicial custody in connection with the case.

Kejriwal’s name features prominently in the chargesheets filed by the ED, which alleges that the accused were in contact with Kejriwal regarding the excise policy, resulting in undue benefits in exchange for kickbacks paid to AAP.

Also Read: Arvind Kejriwal Vows Swift Return Despite Arrest, AAP Raises Concerns Over Office Sealing