ED requested the Delhi HC Today (March 27th) for an extension to submit a response to CM Arvind Kejriwal’s plea challenging his arrest in a money-laundering case associated with the purported excise policy scam. Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, appearing for the agency, said the “bulky” petition was served upon them only on Tuesday, and three weeks’ time should be given to bring their stand on record.
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NEW DELHI: The ED-Enforcement Directorate today urged the Delhi High Court to grant it time to file reply to a plea by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal challenging his arrest in a money-laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam.
During the proceedings, Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, representing the Directorate, mentioned that the comprehensive petition was only received the previous day. Consequently, he requested a three-week duration to adequately compile and present their legal position, stating,
“the ‘bulky’ petition was served upon them only on Tuesday, and three weeks’ time should be given to bring their stand on record.”
Raju also sought a reasonable period to address the request for interim relief. In contrast, Senior Advocate AM Singhvi, representing the Chief Minister, argued that the delay in filing a response seemed to be a strategy to prolong the proceedings. He emphasized the urgency of addressing the core issues at hand, asserting,
“Challenge is to the foundation of arrest and there are several ‘glaring issues’ that need immediate decision by the high court either way.”
The presiding Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma acknowledged the complexity of the situation and decided to revisit the matter later.
The context of the legal battle revolves around the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, the head of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), following allegations of his involvement in corruption and money laundering activities related to the Delhi government’s excise policy for the fiscal year 2021-22.
The policy in question was subsequently annulled. Kejriwal’s apprehension took place on March 21 and led to his custody under the Enforcement Directorate until March 28, as determined by a local court.
The decision for this custodial remand was articulated on a preceding Friday, aimed at facilitating “his detailed and sustained interrogation.” Notably, Kejriwal’s arrest occurred shortly after the High Court denied him protection against the Enforcement Directorate’s impending actions.
This sequence of events underscores a significant legal and political clash, highlighting issues of procedural delays, legal strategy, and the broader implications of high-profile arrests within the context of alleged corruption and policy manipulation.
Click Here to Read Previous Reports on Arvind Kejriwal
Click Here to Read Previous Reports of Delhi Excise Policy Scam
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