Delhi HC dismisses Arvind Kejriwal's plea in liquor policy case, says 'arrest by ED is valid'

New Delhi, April 9: In a significant development, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday rejected Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's plea against arrest in the Delhi liquor policy case. It observed that the material collected by the Enforcement Directorate reveals that he conspired with others and was involved in his capacity as well as convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party. The court maintained that ED had enough material, leading to Arvind Kejriwal's arrest in money laundering.

 

 

"The evidence gathered by the ED indicates that Mr Arvind Kejriwal conspired and played an active role in the utilization and concealment of proceeds of crime. The ED’s case also suggests his involvement both in a personal capacity and as the convenor of AAP," the Delhi HC said.

The court also rejected Kejriwal's objections to ED using approver's statement against him and said "granting pardon to approver is not under ED's domain as it is a judicial process. If you cast aspersions on the process of pardon, you're casting aspersions on the judge. Statements of approvers will be judged during trial, Arvind Kejriwal will be free to cross-examine them at that stage", the court said.

 

 

Kejriwal's contention that he could have been questioned through video conferencing was also rejected by the court. "It is not for the accused to decide how the investigation is to be done. It cannot be as per the convenience of the accused. This court won't set two sets of laws - One for the commons and the other for the public servants," the court said.

The court refused to entertain Kejriwal's argument against the timing of his arrest and said it has to examine his arrest and remand as per law irrespective of the timing of the elections. "Challenge to the timing of arrest before general elections in the absence of any mala fide on the part of ED is not sustainable," the court added.

The Delhi CM is currently in the Tihar Jail in the liquor policy case under judicial custody.