Arvind Kejriwal challenges ED remand in High Court, seeks immediate hearing

NEW DELHI, MAR  23 : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate, approached the Delhi High Court on Saturday, challenging his remand in the Delhi excise policy case. He sought an urgent hearing of the plea before Sunday, March 24.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief was arrested by the central probe agency on Thursday and was remanded to a six-day Enforcement Directorate custody on Friday by Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court.

Kejriwal, in his plea to the High Court, argued that both the arrest and the remand order are illegal, and he is entitled to be released from custody immediately.

On Friday, the Delhi Chief withdrew his petition in the Supreme Court against his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate, as the party decided to contest the ED custody first.

The Enforcement Directorate, during the remand application hearing, had argued in court that Kejriwal was the “key conspirator and the kingpin” of the Delhi excise policy scam. The ED also claimed that Kejriwal was in touch with Manish Sisodia, then Deputy Chief Minister, and K Kavitha, a Telangana leader, who were also arrested in the case.

The agency also alleged that the Chief Minister was directly involved in formulating the policy, demanding kickbacks, and handling the proceeds of crime.

Meanwhile, Kejriwal has argued that there is absolutely no evidence linking him to the alleged scam.

The court observed that custodial interrogation was required to “unearth the remaining proceeds of crime” and to “confront him with data retrieved from digital devices and material seized during the investigation”. He was remanded in ED custody till March 28.

Meanwhile, the AAP asserted that the 55-year-old leader will continue as the Chief Minister and will run the government from jail if necessary.

-PTI