Today(on 22nd March), Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi and a prominent AAP leader, has been handed over to the custody of the Directorate of Enforcement amid allegations related to the Delhi Excise Policy scam
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Delhi: Today(on 22nd March), The Delhi Court has handed over Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi and a prominent leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), to the custody of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED).
Kejriwal, who has been at the forefront of Indian politics with his anti-corruption stance, finds himself in the midst of a controversy that alleges deep-seated corruption and malfeasance. The ED’s pursuit of a 10-day custody was partially met, with the court granting a 6-day remand.
This custody period extends until March 28.
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Following his decision to retract a writ petition from the Supreme Court contesting his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the circumstances leading to Kejriwal’s remand unfolded rapidly. Representing the ED, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju and Special Public Prosecutor Zoheb Hossain presented their case before Special Judge Kaveri Baweja at the Rouse Avenue Court. They alleged that Kejriwal had received substantial kickbacks from the ‘South group’, implicating him as a “key conspirator” in the excise policy scam, alongside other ministers and AAP leaders.
Kejriwal’s defense, led by Senior Advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Vikram Chaudhary. They challenged the basis of the remand, arguing:
“statements of witnesses cannot be grounds for arresting him.” Singhvi further contended that the absence of direct evidence and material possession by the ED rendered Kejriwal’s arrest “illegally and arbitrarily.”
Earlier in the day, the legal drama saw an urgent plea for hearing Kejriwal’s challenge against his arrest, brought forth by Singhvi before the Supreme Court. However, the plea was eventually withdrawn, with Singhvi stating:
“they wanted to contest ED’s prayer for remand before the Trial Court.”
This legal maneuver came after a failed attempt to secure a late-night hearing from the Supreme Court, following the ED’s arrest of Kejriwal, marking him as the first sitting Chief Minister to be arrested in such a manner.
ALSO READ:Delhi Excise Policy Case :Why Is Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Refusing ED Summons?
The situation surrounding these events revolves around allegations of money laundering associated with the Delhi Excise Policy 2021–22. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has traced Hawala transactions totaling Rs. 45 crores, allegedly used during the Goa elections.
Case Title:
Directorate of Enforcement v. Arvind Kejriwal
