Delhi HC Denies Urgent Hearing For Arvind Kejriwal's Plea Against Arrest And ED Custody

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has contested his arrest and the remand order issued by the trial court on March 22, 2024, before the Delhi High Court. Kejriwal asserts that both the arrest and the remand order are unlawful, and he is requesting immediate release from custody.

He has requested an expedited hearing by Sunday, March 24. However, the High Court denied the urgent listing and said that the matter will be listed on reopening on Wednesday.

Kejriwal was arrested on Thursday night at his residence after ED officials arrived with a search warrant. Following nearly two hours of questioning, the Delhi Chief Minister was arrested and presented in Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court on Friday.

The investigating agency had requested a 10-day custody of Arvind Kejriwal, but the court granted custody for only six days until March 28.

The Enforcement Directorate alleges that Kejriwal is the "kingpin and key conspirator" in the now-defunct excise policy case, colluding with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ministers, leaders, and others.

According to the probe agency, Kejriwal was directly involved in formulating the excise policy to benefit specific individuals and also solicited kickbacks from liquor businessmen in exchange for policy favors.

The policy under scrutiny was being designed to benefit the 'South Group' and was devised in collaboration with Vijay Nair, Manish Sisodia, and representatives of the 'South Group'.

"As a result, not only AAP but Arvind Kejriwal himself shall be considered guilty of offences punishable under Section 4 of PMLA and shall be subject to prosecution and punishment as provided under Section 70 of PMLA," the agency asserted.