Delhi High Court Denies Interim Relief To Arvind Kejriwal In ED Custody

The Delhi High Court, in a hearing on Wednesday, declined to grant interim relief to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is currently in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

The court issued notices regarding Kejriwal's plea and scheduled further hearings for April 3. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma's bench issued a notice to the ED on Kejriwal's plea seeking immediate release and declaring his arrest and remand as illegal, with a response required by April 2.

Senior advocate AM Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, argued that no reply from the ED was necessary. However, the court emphasized the need for a fair hearing for both sides and considered ED's reply essential to decide the case, citing the principles of natural justice.

Meanwhile, the ED is expected to produce Kejriwal in court on Thursday as his current remand concludes tomorrow. Kejriwal was arrested last Thursday in connection with the Delhi liquor probe, and the ED may seek an extension of his custodial remand or request directions for judicial custody.

Concerns have been raised about Kejriwal's health, as he is a diabetic patient with fluctuating sugar levels, reportedly dropping as low as 46. His wife, Sunita, stated in a press meeting on Wednesday that his health has deteriorated in ED custody.

Kejriwal urged the court to order his immediate release, arguing that his arrest on the eve of elections violated the basic structure of the Constitution. Singhvi emphasized the urgency of the case, citing democracy, the basic structure, and the need for a level playing field. Additional Solicitor General S V Raju requested three weeks to respond to the "bulky" petition, alleging a delay tactic by Singhvi.