New Delhi: In a dramatic turn of events, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has launched a legal battle against the order of his arrest and remand issued by the PMLA court in connection with the Liquor Policy Case. Additionally, Kejriwal has taken the matter to the Delhi High Court, intensifying the legal skirmish surrounding his arrest. He vehemently contends that both the arrest and the subsequent remand order are devoid of legal merit, asserting his right to immediate release from custody. The urgency of the situation has prompted Kejriwal’s legal team to demand an immediate hearing from the Chief Justice, aiming for a resolution by Sunday (24 March).
Sources within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) revealed that their legal representatives are poised to petition the High Court for an expedited hearing, preferably on the upcoming Sunday itself. The recent development transpired after a trial court, on Friday, decreed Kejriwal to ED custody until March 28, citing the necessity for ‘detailed and sustained interrogation’.
Kejriwal’s petition underscores the illegality of his arrest and detention, advocating for his prompt release. The Chief Minister was apprehended by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) late Thursday night, following the High Court’s refusal to shield him from penal consequences.
Earlier, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) lodged by Surjit Singh Yadav sought Kejriwal’s ousting from the Chief Ministerial position. However, court sources indicate that certain procedural flaws in the petition necessitate rectification before it can be listed for a hearing. Yadav’s plea implores the Delhi High Court to summon explanations from the Principal Secretary to the Central Government, Delhi Government, and the Lieutenant Governor regarding Kejriwal’s continued tenure as Chief Minister, further urging for his removal from office.
The PIL highlights Kejriwal’s arrest by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 in connection with an alleged money laundering case linked to the excise policy scandal. Additionally, it references the Delhi High Court’s decision to withhold interim protection from punitive measures against Kejriwal. The Enforcement Directorate has presented Kejriwal before the court, seeking custody for 10 days.
