Leader Online Desk: A plea challenging the arrest of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Delhi liquor policy scam case was heard today (March 27) before a bench of Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma in the Delhi High Court. This time, after arguments from both sides, Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma rejected the petition. The next hearing in this case will be held on April 3.
Delhi HC to hear tomorrow, PIL seeking removal of Arvind Kejriwal from CM post
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Why arrest action now? : Adv. Singhvi
Arguing on behalf of Kejriwal today, Adv. Singhvi said that the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal in the run-up to the elections is an act of obstructing fair elections. The intention is to arrest Kejriwal and remove him from election campaign participation. That is why I ask the question, why arrest action now? Chief Minister Kejriwal's arrest was timed for political reasons. He has not recorded any Section 50 PMLA statement (statement). A statement is a form of inquiry. He also claimed that this kind of action is in keeping with the original design. This action is a blow to democracy. Kejriwal should be released immediately. Because the basis of arrest is wrong. He told the judge that this is my interim request.
On this, Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma said, I want to hear you and him equally. If I am giving an opportunity to file a reply in other cases, I will also give them that opportunity.
Can one be directly arrested for not giving a confession?
Kejriwal's arrest is based on the statement of a person who was first arrested in the case and later granted bail after testifying. Non-cooperation has been the most abused word in recent times since ED became active. You refuse to confess and disclose. He also questioned whether direct arrest can be made for non-cooperation. If you want to investigate in February 2024, two months before the elections, there is no need to arrest. You don't even know about Kejriwal's role in this matter, you have doubts. You arrest me in the face of elections. Asking what else would you do without arrest, Singhvi at this point referred to some judgments on the aspect of the need for arrest. Also a department has the power to arrest. Wanting to arrest and therefore I am arresting, the action taken against political leaders in the Delhi liquor policy scam is a matter of concern. He also claimed that this is such an action.
ED struck down 110-year-old law
Abhishek Manu Singhvi: ED destroyed 110 years of legal tradition. When an accused becomes a witness, he is a most unreliable friend. If we are not protected by the Constitutional Court from such vindictive acts, where will we go? When everything is known, the High Court can either approve it or reject it. This is an issue that involves democracy and our basic structure. Singhvi also said that if the arrest was illegal, even an hour's stay in jail would be too much.
Time sought by 'ED' for reply
Additional Solicitor General SV Raju said that this petition is very big. We want to file a detailed reply. In the main case we were given 3 weeks. In this case also we should be given sufficient time to file our reply. Singhvi argued that the petition was filed on March 23. Its errors have been removed. I am sure Mr. Raju does not want to give a defective copy. All these errors were corrected last night and today we have shared with Mr. Raju. The High Court clarified that we want an answer on this matter. We are issuing a notice.
Harsh action if rioting in court premises: High Court warns
AAP's legal cell had appealed to the district court to protest against Kejriwal's arrest. On this, the Delhi High Court warned AAP that there will be serious consequences if it protests in the court premises, the High Court today warned the Aam Aadmi Party.
Kejriwal was arrested on the night of Thursday, March 21, in connection with the Delhi liquor policy scam. The court has sent him to ED custody for six days till March 28 (Arvind Kejriwal arrest news). In the petition, Kejriwal had claimed that both the arrest and the remand were illegal. He should be released from custody immediately. He had also demanded an urgent hearing of the case by the legal team in the Delhi High Court.
'Will Take Action If Required': Delhi High Court On Plea Against Protests In Court Premises On Arvind Kejriwal's Arrest | @nupur_0111 #ArvindKejriwal #AAPPartyProtest https://t.co/9Fa2kZI2vG
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What exactly is the case?
The probe into the Delhi liquor policy case focused on an alleged network of middlemen, businessmen and politicians that investigative agencies have called the “South Group”. The ED alleged that the liquor policy was changed to help the “South Group” of companies and Sisodia took a lenient stance in their interest without any consultation.
ED has already arrested Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and other AAP leaders in connection with the liquor policy scam. 'ED' had so far summoned Kejriwal 9 times for investigation. He had filed a petition in the Delhi High Court seeking protection from ED notices and arrest. After the court rejected their plea, the ED team reached Kejriwal's residence at 10 pm with a notice and a search warrant. Kejriwal was interrogated for two hours before his arrest. His mobile phone was seized during the interrogation. He was arrested after interrogation.
