Supreme Court to hear Arvind Kejriwal's plea against arrest on April 15

Earlier this month, the Delhi High Court upheld his arrest by the central agency.

Updated on: Apr 13, 2024, 15:08:53 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India will hear Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's plea against arrest by the Enforcement Directorate, on April 15. Earlier this month, the Delhi high court upheld his arrest by the central agency.

Delhi chief minister and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal leaves the Rouse Avenue Court after he was produced by the Enforcement Directorate in the excise policy-linked money laundering case. (PTI file photo)

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta will hear the matter, reported news agency ANI.

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate last month in connection with the money laundering probe linked to the Delhi excise policy case. Last week, a Delhi court sent him to judicial custody till April 15.

Arvind Kejriwal had moved the Supreme Court after the Delhi high court said there was no contravention of legal provisions.

The Delhi high court ruled that the Enforcement Directorate had sufficient materials to justify the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal. The court said the agency could not be blamed for choosing the timing of the chief minister's arrest as he pushed it to a point where it had no other option.

The 103-page judgment by the single judge bench of justice Swarana Kanta Sharma observed that material placed on record before the court showed that Kejriwal had allegedly conspired with other persons and was involved in the formulation of the policy.

Also read: 'Inhuman': Sanjay Singh claims Sunita Kejriwal asked to meet Arvind Kejriwal through glass window

“He (Kejriwal) is allegedly involved in the offence of money laundering in two capacities. Firstly, in his personal capacity as he was involved in the formulation of the excise policy and in demanding kickbacks. Secondly, in his capacity as the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party as per Section 70(1) of PMLA, for use of proceeds of crime of ₹45 crore in AAP’s election campaign in 2022 Goa elections," the court said.

Also read: Arvind Kejriwal moves SC after Delhi HC setback in money laundering case

Arvind Kejriwal had approached the high court on March 23, claiming the ED's action violated his fundamental rights and was motivated by politics.

Apart from Kejriwal, AAP leader Manish Sisodia has been in jail since February last year in the same case. Sanjay Singh, another AAP leader in jail, recently got bail in the case.

Also read: 'K Kavitha forced Sharath Reddy to pay ₹25 crore to AAP': CBI in court

The CBI and ED have alleged that AAP leaders accepted ₹100 crore as kickbacks from a group of politicians and liquor businessmen to grant licenses to them under the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy. They claim that the policy favoured certain liquor traders at the expense of the public exchequer.

With inputs from agencies

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.