Delhi HC rejects CM Kejriwal’s interim bail plea
Delhi High Court dismissed CM Arvind Kejriwal‘s plea challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Excise Policy money laundering case.
“The ED case also reveals that he was involved in his personal capacity as well as convenor of AAP,” said the HC.
The High Court noted that the ED was in possession of enough material which had led them to arrest Kejriwal. “Non-joining of investigation by Kejriwal, delay caused by him was also impacting those in judicial custody,” said Delhi High Court.
Kejriwal had challenged his arrest by the ED in the Excise Policy money laundering case before the High Court.
Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma’s bench delivered the order today. Delivering the verdict, the court said that questioning the witness is akin to questioning the court as Magistrate records the judgment of the witnesses in any case. The court also disagreed with Kejriwal’s contention that he was trapped using the statements of some witnesses.
The court also noted that Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest by the ED was not illegal. The High Court also said that the material collected by the ED reveals Arvind Kejriwal conspired and was actively involved in the use and concealment of the Proceeds of Crime.
Last week, the same bench reserved judgment following comprehensive arguments from both parties. Delhi’s Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, has contested both his arrest and the ED remand granted by the trial court.
The High Court also observed that the present case is not a case between the Central government and Kejriwal but between Kejriwal and ED. “The Court must remain vigilant that it is not influenced by any extraneous factors…We are concerned with constitutional morality, not political morality,” said the HC.
The High Court rejected the argument today saying that the arrest cannot be linked to elections as Kejriwal ignored nine summons and did not appear before the ED.
While opposing Kejriwal’s plea, Enforcement Directorate lawyer ASG S V Raju submitted that the investigation in the matter is at a nascent stage, and as far as Kejriwal is concerned, the investigation is not over. “No remand order has been challenged…I’m not even sure if he can challenge these orders when he says that I am conceding the remand. They’re playing hot and cold at the same time. You can’t ride two horses at the same time. You can’t challenge the remand on one hand and say I accept the remand on the other,” argued ASG Raju for ED.
For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.
- CM’s post in buzzing capital like Delhi not ceremonial, office holder has to be available 24×7: Delhi HC observes - April 29, 2024
- Amit Shah’s doctored video case: Delhi Police summons Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, other Congress leaders - April 29, 2024
- Smriti Irani files nomination from crucial Amethi seat; holds massive roadshow ahead of filing her nomination papers - April 29, 2024
Now the case will be taken to SC where it could be urgently mentioned for priority hearing. Does it mean that there is no faith in the courts below, from where the future SC judges will be picked. In the fees paid to the lawyers during past two years the disproportionate payment to private lawyers should be a matter of concern to the ADR, but with their friends being the harvesters it will not find a mention. Surprisingly the matter of CM working from Jail is of no priority or importance. What if there in an emergency requiring presence of CM? Will this apply to the PM as well?