Delhi HC Dismisses Kejriwal’s Plea, Says ‘Arrest by Enforcement Directorate is Valid’: New Delhi, April 9 (UNI) The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s plea against his arrest by law enforcement agencies, saying the arrest was legal and did not violate the law and did not consider the remand to be wrong. llegal’.
Single Judge Swarna Kanta Sharma said that the ED had provided sufficient evidence that Kejriwal took money as a bribe during the Goa elections. “The ED has produced sufficient material as well as statements of supporters and AAP candidates to show that money was given to Kejriwal for the Goa elections,” the court said.
The court said that the ED investigation revealed that Kejriwal hatched a conspiracy, developed a new product policy, and used the proceeds of crime to fund party expenses.
The high court ruled that Kejriwal was allegedly involved in policy making and demanded bribes in his capacity and also in his capacity as state president of his party AAP, the judge said.
Studying the verdict in an open court, the court said there was no “separate” law for the common man or the chief minister. “Court will not make two separate laws and will not give special privilege to CM Kejriwal.”
Today’s order relates only to Kejriwal’s plea challenging his arrest and subsequent remand by the ED.
Kejriwal’s lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that the allegations were based on the statements of supporters who were forced to speak against Kejriwal.
The senior counsel argued that the ED had forced witnesses Raghav Magunta, Sarath Reddy, and Magunta Reddy to give statements against Kejriwal. He further claimed that both the supporters have links with the ruling party as well.
The court ruled that the testimony of the approver cannot be questioned. “To doubt the approver is to doubt the judge.” The enabling law has existed for over 100 years and cannot be doubted. The judge said the prime minister could cross-examine the witnesses later.
The High Court said, “It is not a matter for the court whether anyone issues election tickets or buys election bonds.”
The Court held that the arrest was not in Contravention of the law
Kejriwal was arrested on the night of March 21. On March 22, the Court of First Instance sentenced him to six days of pre-trial detention in the emergency room, which was extended by four days.
On April 1, the trial court remanded him in custody till April 15. He is currently on remand in Tihar Jail.
Kejriwal ignored nine ED summons. Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are also accused in this case.
Singh was recently granted bail by the Supreme Court while Sisodia is still in custody.
Another accused, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader and MLC Kavita was arrested by the ED on March 15 for his involvement in the Delhi Excise Policy case.
A Delhi court had denied interim bail to Kavita in the case as the ED had told the court that her release would amount to influencing witnesses.
The case concerns alleged corruption and money laundering in the formulation and implementation of the Delhi government’s excise policy for 2021-22, which was later scrapped.
During the hearing last week, the ED rejected Kejriwal’s claim that the arrest was linked to the upcoming assembly elections.
“Criminals and defendants have no right to say that we are committing crimes and arrests have not been made because of elections.” This is completely ridiculous. This allows criminals to roam freely.
