Today, 16th April, The court requested the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to provide a response regarding Arvind Kejriwal’s request to consult his doctor. Kejriwal sought permission for this consultation, and the court’s decision hinges on the ED’s input. This development reflects ongoing legal proceedings involving the ED and Kejriwal, emphasizing the importance of medical considerations in legal matters.
New Delhi: A Delhi court on Tuesday directed the ED to file its response to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal‘s application seeking permission to consult his regular doctor through video conference. In his application to Special Judge Rakesh Syal, Kejriwal said his blood sugar levels are fluctuating and he wants to consult his regular doctor. The judge directed the ED to file its reply by April 18, when the court is likely to take up the matter.
During the court proceedings, Kejriwal’s counsel argued that his blood sugar level dropped to 46 and, under these circumstances, he should be allowed to consult his doctor three times a week.
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On the other hand, the Special Public Prosecutor (ED), Simon Benjamin, contended that there are medical facilities available in jail where Kejriwal currently in judicial custody, and he can be examined there. Benjamin expressed his intention to file a response to the application. Kejriwal’s counsel questioned why the ED is opposing the request if Kejriwal is taking care of his health.
Arvind Kejriwal been in judicial custody since his arrest by the ED in the Delhi Excise Policy case. Recently, the Delhi Court extended Kejriwal’s judicial custody until April 23 in a money laundering case related to the now-scrapped liquor policy.
Previously, Kejriwal approached the Supreme Court challenging a Delhi High Court judgment that dismissed his plea against arrest by the ED and his subsequent remand in the excise policy case. On April 9, the High Court rejected his plea for release from jail, stating that his absence from nine ED summons over six months undermined any claims of special privilege as Chief Minister and suggested that his arrest was an inevitable consequence of his non-cooperation.
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In the appeal filed against the High Court judgment, Kejriwal argued that there no material in the possession of the Enforcement Directorate that can establish his guilt under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
He claimed that his arrest solely based on the subsequent, contradictory, and delayed statements of co-accused individuals who have now turned approvers.
Kejriwal’s arrest by the ED on March 21 in connection with a money laundering investigation related to alleged irregularities in the now-cancelled Delhi excise policy for the year 2021-22.