New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has moved the High Court challenging his recent arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the subsequent order sending him into their custody, terming the actions as illegal. Seeking an immediate release, Kejriwal’s legal team approached the High Court urgently for a hearing, aiming to challenge the legality of his detention.
The leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was apprehended by the Enforcement Directorate on Thursday in connection with a money laundering case related to what’s been dubbed as the “Delhi liquor policy scam”. A day later, the Rouse Avenue court in Delhi granted the agency a six-day custody of Kejriwal.
Presenting his case before the Delhi High Court on Saturday, Arvind Kejriwal contested the legality of his arrest and subsequent detention, emphasising his right to immediate release. He urged for an urgent hearing from the acting chief justice of the High Court by Sunday.
This move follows the Delhi High Court’s refusal to grant Arvind Kejriwal protection from arrest on Thursday, leading to his subsequent custody by the Enforcement Directorate. A two-judge bench of the High Court had declined the plea, stating, “We have heard both sides, and we are not inclined at this stage (to grant protection). The respondent (ED) is at liberty to file a reply.”
In a message conveyed earlier on Saturday through his wife Sunita Kejriwal, the Chief Minister urged AAP workers to persevere in their societal endeavours and advised against harbouring any animosity, even towards individuals affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He expressed confidence in his imminent release, vowing to fulfill his commitments upon his return.
Regarding the allegations against him, the Enforcement Directorate labelled Kejriwal as a “key conspirator” in the purported scam, alleging he received kickbacks for granting favours. The agency claimed that the total proceeds of the crime amount to Rs 600 crore, highlighting alleged discrepancies in the Delhi liquor policy of 2021-22, which supposedly provided significant profit margins for certain parties.
Dismissing these allegations, the AAP countered the accusations as politically motivated, portraying Kejriwal’s arrest as a ploy orchestrated by the BJP ahead of upcoming elections. The BJP, however, contends that the kickbacks in question were utilised to finance electoral campaigns.
The legal battle surrounding the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal continues as both sides present their arguments before the judiciary, with the outcome eagerly anticipated by supporters and opponents alike.
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