ED Defends Arrest of Delhi CM Kejriwal in Supreme Court, Cites Conduct

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has recently submitted a detailed affidavit to the Supreme Court, asserting that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's actions led the investigating officer to conclude his involvement in money laundering activities. This development follows Kejriwal's legal challenge against his arrest by the ED, a move that has sparked considerable controversy and debate.

According to the ED's affidavit, Kejriwal's non-cooperation and evasion from appearing before the investigating officer, despite receiving nine summonses, significantly contributed to the decision to arrest him. The agency has dismissed Kejriwal's petition against his arrest as lacking merit, emphasizing that the material evidence which informed the investigating officer's decision had already been reviewed and validated by various courts.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has responded to these allegations by accusing the ED of propagating falsehoods under political influence. The party's statement highlighted its view of the ED as an entity engaging in deceit at the behest of its political superiors.

Kejriwal was taken into custody on March 21, shortly after the Delhi High Court denied him protection from coercive action by the ED. He is currently held in Tihar jail under judicial custody. The Supreme Court has requested a response from the ED regarding Kejriwal's appeal against his arrest in connection with an alleged excise policy scam.

The ED's affidavit elaborates on Kejriwal's alleged non-cooperative behavior during his interrogation, stating that his evasive responses and refusal to answer even non-incriminating questions justified the need for custodial interrogation. The agency asserts that there was ample material evidence against Kejriwal, warranting his arrest under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

Furthermore, the affidavit clarifies that Kejriwal's arrest was not motivated by malice or extraneous reasons but was a necessary step in the investigation process. The ED maintains that it is prepared to disclose the evidence that led to their belief in Kejriwal's guilt.

The Delhi High Court, on April 9, upheld Kejriwal's arrest, stating that the ED had limited options after he repeatedly ignored summonses and refused to participate in the investigation. This case revolves around alleged corruption and money laundering linked to the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22, which has since been scrapped.

This ongoing legal battle and its implications continue to unfold, drawing attention to the complexities of law enforcement and political accountability in India.