Arvind Kejriwal arrest highlights: SC questions ‘timing’ of Delhi CM's arrest; ED to respond on Friday

The Rouse Avenue Court rejected AAP leader Manish Sisodia's second bail petition on Tuesday in both the CBI and ED related to the Delhi excise policy case. Sisodia had filed for regular bail in the ED and CBI cases citing trial delays. 

This marks the second time the court has dismissed Sisodia's bail plea. His initial bail request in the CBI case was turned down on March 31, 2023, followed by the rejection of his bail application in the ED case on April 28. Special judge Kaveri Baweja dismissed Sisodia's bail plea after reviewing the submissions and evidence. The detailed bail order has yet to be uploaded. Read more

Arvind Kejriwal arrest LIVE: On Tuesday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann visited his counterpart Arvind Kejriwal in Tihar jail. Mann mentioned that during their meeting, the AAP leader urged him to actively support INDIA bloc candidates in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. 

Speaking to reporters, Mann assured Kejriwal's health is stable, as he receives insulin and undergoes regular check-ups. Kejriwal also encouraged people to cast their votes during the elections, asking them not to be concerned about his well-being. This marks Mann's second visit to Kejriwal in jail within a fortnight.

Arvind Kejriwal arrest LIVE: During the Supreme Court hearing, Singhvi discussed the judgment related to AAP leader Manish Sisodia's case, noting that "Your Lordships summarised the case in the Sisodia judgment, and there was no mention of Kejriwal." 

- In response, Justice Khanna reflected, "Initially, I considered whether I should handle this case since I decided the previous one. Then I realized it might be misconstrued as my reluctance." 

- Abhishek Singhvi, representing Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, presented arguments on the "need for arrest" and the evaluation process of materials. Singhvi asserted, "The term 'proceeds of crime' should be interpreted strictly. Possession of unaccounted property obtained through illicit means may be subject to tax violations, but it does not automatically constitute 'proceeds of crime'." 

- In the Supreme Court, Singhvi highlighted the exceptional nature of the cases of Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh, stating, "There's no Section 50 statement. If they lacked my Section 50 statement, a significant source of evidence would be unavailable. Not appearing after summons could not be justified as an excuse." 

- Singhvi, representing Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, emphasized the "safeguards provided under the PMLA to prevent unjustified arrests," stressing that the ED is expected to act impartially and fairly. Justice Khanna, responding to Singhvi's arguments, remarked, "The time gap which took place between initiation of proceedings and repeated complaints being filed after some time... 365 days... was the upper limit." 

- After listening to arguments from Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's lawyer, Abhishek Singhvi, regarding the plea in the Supreme Court against his arrest by the ED, Justice Khanna expressed concerns about the "timing" of the arrest, especially considering it was just before general elections. He urged ASG Raju, representing the ED, to be prepared with a response.

Arvind Kejriwal arrest LIVE: After listening to arguments from Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's lawyer, Abhishek Singhvi, regarding the plea in the Supreme Court against his arrest by the ED, Justice Khanna expressed concerns about the “timing” of the arrest, especially considering it was just before general elections. He urged ASG Raju, representing the ED, to be prepared with a response. 

"Liberty is exceedingly important; you can't deny that. The last question pertains to the timing of the arrest, as highlighted by them. The timing of the arrest, soon before the general elections," Justice Sanjiv Khanna tells ASG SV Raju. 

The ED has been asked to respond by Friday.

Arvind Kejriwal arrest LIVE: Justice Khanna, responding to Abhishek Singhvi's arguments in the Supreme Court, remarks, "The time gap which is taking place between initiation of proceedings and repeated complaints being filed after some time... 365 days... is the upper limit." 

Addressing ASG Raju, representing ED, Justice Khanna asks, “One question is whether there are adjudicatory proceedings. Can you have criminal proceedings initiated? In terms of what has been held in VMC or otherwise. In this case, there has been no proceeding for attachment.”

Justice Khanna states, “You have to show how petitioner was... what they believe is the threshold of Section 19 is fairly high... they will be confronted with Section 45... that's why they are repeatedly coming against arrest.”

Arvind Kejriwal arrest LIVE: Singhvi, the Delhi CM's representative in the Supreme Court's hearing today, highlights the “safeguards provided under the PMLA to prevent unjustified arrests,” emphasising that the ED is expected to act impartially and with utmost fairness.

He draws a comparison between the judgments of Vijay Madanlal and Pankaj Bansal regarding Section 19 of the PMLA.

Arvind Kejriwal arrest LIVE: During the hearing of Delhi CM's plea against his arrest by the ED in connection with the liquor policy case, Justice Khanna remarks, "Criminal proceedings cannot exist independently... unless there is confiscation or attachment." 

He further explains, “First, there should be attachment, followed by the offence, and then a finding of the offence. Prosecution comes after attachment. According to VMC, this was the framework.”

Arvind Kejriwal arrest LIVE: In the Supreme Court, Advocate Singhvi says, “The cases of me (Kejriwal) and Sanjay Singh are exceptional... There's no Section 50 statement. If they lack my Section 50 statement, a significant source of evidence is unavailable. Not appearing after summons cannot be justified as an excuse.”

Arvind Kejriwal arrest LIVE: Abhishek Singhvi, representing Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in the Supreme Court, is presenting arguments on the "need for arrest" and the evaluation process of materials. 

Singhvi asserts, “The term 'proceeds of crime' should be interpreted strictly. Possession of unaccounted property obtained through illicit means may be subject to tax violations, but it does not automatically constitute 'proceeds of crime'.”

Arvind Kejriwal arrest LIVE: Singhvi, discussing the judgment related to AAP leader Manish Sisodia's case, mentions, “Your Lordships summarized the case in the Sisodia judgment. There was no mention of Kejriwal.” 

Justice Khanna responds, “Initially, I considered whether I should handle this case since I decided the previous one. Then I realized it might be misconstrued as my reluctance.”

Arvind Kejriwal arrest LIVE: Advocate Singhvi, discussing the case involving former Delhi minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia, remarks, “Sisodia was one step closer. Same documents, same 23 statements. Only the name is different. Based on the judgment I've reviewed so far, Your Lordships did not rule in favour of the ED.”

Arvind Kejriwal arrest LIVE: During the Supreme Court hearing on Delhi CM's plea against his arrest by the ED in the liquor policy case, Advocate Singhvi remarks, "Receiving or not receiving cash is an offence under IT. It is not listed under PMLA schedule." 

Justice Khanna interjects, mentioning Manish Sisodia's sequence regarding policy formulation. Singhvi responds, “Factually, that judgment is not relevant to me.”

Arvind Kejriwal arrest LIVE: Abhishek Singhvi, the lawyer representing Delhi CM in the Supreme Court, says, “Initially, Raghav did not make any allegations... his wife attempted suicide. He applied for interim bail, which was dismissed by the special judge. Later, when his maternal grandmother fell and was in the ICU, the Delhi High Court granted him interim bail. This decision by the Delhi High Court was challenged by the ED.”

Arvind Kejriwal arrest LIVE: Singhvi highlights Sarath Reddy's arrest, saying, "Let's examine Sarath Reddy's situation... On April 19, he applied for bail in the Delhi High Court and provided a favourable statement. His bail was extended as the ED requested time to respond. Initially, there were objections due to cancer, but later, there was no objection." 

Singhvi continues, "Now, let's turn to the issue of inducement." 

Justice Khanna responds, "That may not be relevant." 

Singhvi argues, "These are circumstances, pressures... in addition to the fact that the statements do not constitute a violation of Section 3."

Arvind Kejriwal arrest LIVE: In the Supreme Court, Abhishek Singhvi, the lawyer for Delhi CM, raises doubts about the timing of arrests, asking, “Did Vijay Nair, on behalf of Kejriwal, receive kickbacks? How does this align with the criteria of projection and use under Section 3? Nair was arrested in November 2022, and I was arrested in March 2024... there's no explanation for why there was no arrest during this period.”

Arvind Kejriwal arrest LIVE: Advocate Singhvi, representing Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal during the Supreme Court hearing on the plea against his arrest by the ED, asserts, “There is no evidence that directly implicates me. The association with Vijay Nair is portrayed as if Nair and Kejriwal are synonymous.”

Singhvi highlights Sarath Reddy's statement, stating, "There is a lack of specificity, dates, or addresses. At most, it does not assert that Kejriwal demanded money. It's suggestive. Where is the legal basis here?" 

He adds, "This is a grave matter. These statements were not included in any prosecution complaint. They could have indicated that we are not relying on them... Sarath got bail for his wife's cancer treatment, despite opposition from the ED."

Arvind Kejriwal arrest LIVE: During the Supreme Court hearing on the plea against Arvind Kejriwal's ED arrest, Abhishek Singhvi, says, "This is a grave matter. These statements were not included in any prosecution complaint. They could have indicated that we are not relying on them... Sarath got bail for his wife's cancer treatment, despite opposition from the ED."

Singhvi points out that Sarath Reddy's statements from September 16 and November 9 do not implicate him. “The statement from September 16 was concealed. He emphasizes that out of the nine statements made after arrest, not a single one alleges anything against him over a year. Can these nine statements be hidden?” Singhvi says.

Arvind Kejriwal arrest LIVE: Singhvi highlights the grounds of arrest concerning Raghav Magunta, a part of the South group. 

“It was disclosed that he paid 25 crores in cash, in accordance with the agreement between his father and Kavitha. This revelation mirrors his father's statement.” 

Singhvi also mentions the mental trauma Raghav went through, with his wife attempting suicide. 

“Raju's department opposed bail initially. However, later, bail was not opposed after Raghav implicated Kejriwal,” he says

Arvind Kejriwal arrest LIVE: The representative of Delhi CM, advocate Singhvi, says, “There is no evidence of use or projection. On September 16, 2022, there were no allegations against Kejriwal. He claims he doesn't know any of these individuals. Five months later, this person is arrested on February 11. He provides four statements.”

“These statements are hidden and omitted by the ED, not included in the prosecution complaint. Just because they made the complaint lengthy, does it make it less incriminating?” Singhvi says.

Arvind Kejriwal arrest LIVE: Justice Khanna, addressing ASG Raju representing the ED, says, “His point is that the grounds of arrest should also include facts that support his case. You might be correct, that's his argument. We are not certain.”

Arvind Kejriwal case news LIVE: Continuing to read Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy's statement in the court, Delhi CM's advocate, Abhishek Singhvi says, (coming back to MSR statement) says, “Five months down the line, due to his son's continuous incarceration, the father broke down. To secure a no-objection for his son's bail, on July 16-17, MSR gave a statement seeking to implicate Kejriwal.”

“It contradicted an earlier statement. Son Raghav was granted bail the very next day! ED gave concessions... so generous. On August 10, interim bail was made absolute,” he says.

“ED's entire case involves 6-7 people. Let me show the grounds of arrest... how Magunta Reddy is sought to be connected to me (Kejriwal),” he added.

Arvind Kejriwal case news LIVE: Singhvi reads MSR's statement in the court, “I did not meet Kejriwal in the context of Delhi Liquor Policy.”

J Khanna asks, “Is a list of unrelied documents given with reasons of arrest?”

Singhvi replies, “No, with a complaint.”

MSR here is Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy, MP from Ongole constituency in Andhra Pradesh.

Arvind Kejriwal case news LIVE: Here are the statements from Supreme Court hearing today

Singhvi says, “I gave 5 names, father Magunta, son Raghav, Sarath Reddy...my chart refers to them. See the circumstances in which the statements were given, the inducement”

“MSR then MP from Congress, father of Raghav was forced to make statement in lieu of bail of son. Raghav is arrested on 11 February. After arrest, father in March'23 states that he met petitioner in Delhi for charitable land purposes,” he further says

Arvind Kejriwal case news LIVE: Supreme Court began hearing on Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's plea against his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the now-scrapped liquor policy case.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita and cabinet minister Atishi met him in the capital's Tihar jail on Monday, PTI reported.

Sunita Kejriwal was granted permission by the prison authorities to meet her husband, who is in judicial custody till May 7 following his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 in connection with the excise policy case.

Read Here.