Liquor Excise Policy Scam: AAP To Move Supreme Court Challenging High Court’s Decision

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will move Supreme Court, challenging the High Court’s decision after his appeal against his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in relation to the excise policy issue was denied by the Delhi High Court on Tuesday. The court stated that Kejriwal’s arrest does not violate any laws and that remand cannot be deemed “illegal.”

Delhi Cabinet Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj said, “We respect the institution of the high court but we respectfully submit that we do not agree with its order and will move the Supreme Court against it.”

The ED had sufficient evidence, according to Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma’s bench, thus they decided to arrest Kejriwal. Those under judicial custody were also affected by Kejriwal’s refusal to participate in the probe and the delays he imposed.

Arvind Kejriwal engaged in conspiracy and actively participated in the use and concealment of proceeds of crime, according to the evidence gathered by the Enforcement Directorate. In addition, the ED case shows that he was both the Aam Aadmi Party convenor and participated in his own right.

The court went on to say that it believes the accused has been detained and that his arrest and remand should be reviewed in accordance with the law, not in light of the impending elections. The court rejected Kejriwal’s argument that the arrest was made too soon before the general elections in the lack of evidence of ED malfeasance.

The Enforcement Directorate arrested Kejriwal on March 21 in connection with the excise policy scam.

Arvind Kejriwal was placed in judicial imprisonment by the trial court until April 15, 2024. According to the ED, the Aam Adami Party (AAP) is the primary recipient of the criminal earnings from the purported liquor fraud.

Additionally, the agency asserted that Kejriwal had a direct hand in the creation of the excise policy. The complaint concerns purported anomalies and money laundering in the formulation and execution of the Delhi Excise Policy 2022, which was subsequently withdrawn.

Also Read: MVA Announces Lok Sabha Seat-Sharing Arrangement for Maharashtra Polls