Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is lodged in Tihar Jail in the Delhi Liquor Policy Scam case. During the hearing of petition in Supreme Court challenging Delhi High Court order regarding Kejriwal’s arrest and ED remand, senior lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing on behalf of Kejriwal, raised questions on his arrest and said that Sanjay Singh ‘s case and Kejriwal’s case are the same.
Sanjay Singh was arrested by the ED without interrogating him, and Kejriwal was also not interrogated by the ED before his arrest. On which Justice Sanjeev Khanna has sought answers to some questions from ED. Justice Sanjeev Khanna asked the ED why Kejriwal was arrested by ED before general elections, court said that without judicial proceedings, you can initiate criminal proceedings in context of what has happened here.
How is Kejriwal involved in case?
The court also asked ED that no attachment action has been taken till now and if it has been done then it should show how Kejriwal is involved in the case. The court asked the ED that in Sisodia’s case, the Supreme Court had recorded its arguments in favor and against him. Compare that and tell where Kejriwal’s case stands. The Supreme Court has sought a reply from ED by Friday. The court will hear the next hearing on Friday.
During case hearing, the Supreme Court said that life and liberty are very important. You can’t deny it. During the hearing of case, Abhishek, appearing for Kejriwal, asked Manu Singhvi whether there was any document which could make it clear who was trusted and who was not. Singhvi said that there is no such document. The court asked Kejriwal’s lawyer what is the date of Goa elections, when was the liquor policy prepared and when was it implemented?
Allegation of misuse of agencies like ED
Singhvi prepared the liquor policy a year before its implementation, i.e. in 2021. Kejriwal, while replying to the affidavit filed by ED, has said that even though ED is blaming Kejriwal for destroying the evidence, there is not a single statement or evidence which proves that Kejriwal destroyed the evidence. Kejriwal has also said that his arrest in itself is a big example of how the central government is misusing agencies like ED to eliminate its political opponents.
Kejriwal has further said that this arrest during the election process will cause huge loss to the Aam Aadmi Party, while the ruling party will benefit. Kejriwal has said that for free and fair elections, it is necessary that all parties get equal opportunity. He alleged how a sitting Chief Minister and the National Convener were arrested illegally on the 5th day of the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct.
Also Read: Supreme Court Questions ED on Arvind Kejriwal’s Arrest: Five Key Inquiries Raised