Why Was Kejriwal Arrested Before General Elections? SC Questions ED

The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Enforcement Directorate on the timing of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, just before the general elections.

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta asked Additional Solicitor General SV Raju to reply on the question of the timing and said, "Life and liberty are exceedingly important. You can't deny that."

"No attachment action has been taken so far in this case, and if it has been done, then show how Kejriwal is involved in the matter," NDTV quoted Justice Khanna as saying. "Tell me, why the arrest before the general elections?" he asked.

The bench, which asked Raju several other questions, asked the probe agency to reply on the next date of hearing of Kejriwal's plea challenging his arrest in the money laundering case related to the excise policy scam.

The Supreme Court observed that in the case related to former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, investigators have claimed that they have found material, while in Kejriwal's case, no such evidence has been presented.

Questioning the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Supreme Court sought an explanation for the significant delay between the commencement of proceedings and the arrest. Subsequently, the court directed the ED to provide a response by Friday.

The case is scheduled for a hearing on Friday, with both judges sitting in different combinations starting from Wednesday.

Kejriwal is presently lodged in Tihar jail following his arrest on March 21 in connection with the case.

The Supreme Court served a notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on April 15, seeking its response to Kejriwal's plea.

On April 9, the high court upheld Kejriwal's arrest, stating that it was lawful and the ED had limited options after he repeatedly ignored summons and declined to participate in the investigation.

The case revolves around alleged corruption and money laundering related to the formulation and implementation of the Delhi government's now-defunct excise policy for 2021-22.