New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday reserved its verdict on Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s plea challenging his arrest and remand over his alleged involvement in the controversial liquor excise policy.
Kejriwal, who was arrested by Enforcement Directorate (ED) on the night of March 21, is currently in judicial custody.
“This case reeks of timing issues which ensures that Kejriwal is unable to participate in democratic activity and to try to disintegrate the AAP before the first vote is cast (in Lok Sabha polls),” said senior advocate Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who is appearing for Kejriwal.
The high court last week rejected Singhvi’s contention that a reply from the ED was not required, saying that it was duty-bound to hear both sides fairly keeping in mind the principles of natural justice and, hence, the central agency’s reply was essential and crucial to decide the case.
In its response to Kejriwal’s petition, ED said “someone who loots the country” cannot claim immunity citing election.
Urging the court to reject Kejriwal’s plea, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, appearing for ED, told the court that it wanted to attach some properties of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the Delhi liquor policy case but was in a dilemma.
“We want to attach some properties of AAP. If we do that, then they will say what is all this at the time of elections? If we don’t do it, then they will say where is the proof? We are in a catch 22 situation,” ED submitted.
The ED further said that the investigation into Kejriwal’s role in the liquor policy case was at a nascent stage while also claiming that it had located the money trail.
“Aam aadmi (common man) has to go behind bars if he has committed a crime, but because you are a Chief Minister you can’t be arrested? You will loot the country but no one can touch you because the elections are coming?” the ASG argued.
“The money trail is there. We have located the money trail. The money may have been used and that is why it can’t be found,” the ASG said.
