Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s challenge against his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Delhi excise policy case will be heard by the Supreme Court today. This follows a previous dismissal of his plea by the Delhi High Court on April 9.
Arvind Kejriwal’s petition contends that his arrest and subsequent remand are unjustified. This alleges political vendetta amidst the backdrop of the upcoming Lok Sabha election. The hearing will be conducted by a bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta.
Background Of The Excise Duty Case
The Delhi High Court, in its judgment, upheld the ED’s actions. It cited sufficient evidence to justify the arrest, attributing it to Kejriwal’s non-cooperation with the probe agency. Despite being summoned nine times, the Chief Minister did not comply with the investigation.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma’s 103-page ruling also determined that the timing of the arrest was not arbitrary. This underscored that the agency was well within its rights to take action.
Details Of Delhi Excise Policy Case
The legal entanglement stems from alleged irregularities and corruption related to the formulation and implementation of Delhi’s excise policy for 2021-22. The policy aimed to revitalize the liquor business by introducing a licensing fee system and upgrading retail infrastructure.
The controversial policy, since scrapped, attracted scrutiny after the Lieutenant Governor sought a CBI investigation, suspecting misconduct. The ED and CBI have accused AAP leaders of accepting kickbacks to facilitate license grants.
AAP Leaders Under Scrutiny
Aside from Kejriwal, AAP leader Manish Sisodia has been in custody since February last year, while Sanjay Singh was recently granted bail after being arrested in connection with the case.
The agencies’ chargesheet alleges a nexus between politicians, liquor traders, and AAP leaders in devising the policy to benefit specific entities. Kejriwal’s purported involvement is highlighted in the chargesheet, indicating communication with accused parties to shape the policy for mutual gain.
Final Words
Arvind Kejriwal’s incarceration represents a rare instance of a sitting Chief Minister facing arrest, with his detention currently at Tihar Jail.
The upcoming Supreme Court hearing will likely provide clarity on the legal aspects surrounding Kejriwal’s arrest and the broader implications of the excise policy case. The outcome of this judicial proceeding will undoubtedly have reverberations in the political landscape of Delhi and beyond.
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