New Delhi: Today, the Delhi High Court will announce its decision on Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal’s plea contesting his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the excise policy money laundering case. Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma has set 2.30 pm as the verdict time.
CM Kejriwal contested his arrest, and the trial court granted by ED remand, after which the bench reserved the matter last week following detailed arguments from both sides.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, argued that the case exhibits timing issues, “preventing the petitioner from participating in the democratic process” and potentially harming his party, referring to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The first phase of polling for the election is scheduled for April 19.
The ED countered the plea, stating that Kejriwal cannot claim “immunity” from arrest based on upcoming elections as the law applies equally to him and an “aam aadmi”.
The ED further said that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has been the primary recipient of funds from illegal activities in the Delhi liquor scam. Allegedly, a portion of these funds, totalling around ₹45 crore, was purportedly used in AAP’s electoral campaign during the Goa Assembly elections in 2022.
Punjab chief minister and AAP leader Bhagwant Mann is expected to visit Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in jail this week, following approval from the Aam Aadmi Party leader, according to Tihar Jail officials.
Officials confirmed that an additional director general (security) of the Punjab Police contacted the Delhi prisons chief, Sanjay Baniwal, to inquire about the protocol for Mann’s visit. The meeting is anticipated to occur in the jail’s common area, with adjustments likely due to the Z+ security status accorded to both CMs.
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