Arvind Kejriwal conspired with others: Delhi HC makes harsh observations in Kejriwal’s case. Read 10 key comments

Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal‘s plea challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in the Excise Policy money laundering case.

“ED was in possession of enough material which had led them to arrest Kejriwal. Non-joining of investigation by Kejriwal, delay caused by him was also impacting those in judicial custody,” said Delhi High Court in its order.

The Delhi CM was arrested by the ED on March 21, hours after the high court refused to grant him protection from coercive action by the federal anti-money laundering agency. He was sent to judicial custody in the case on April 1 after he was produced in the trial court on expiry of ED custody.

Here are the key statements of Delhi HC:

• Kejriwal has been arrested in a money laundering case and the court has to examine his arrest and remand as per law irrespective of the timing of the elections.
• To cast doubt on the manner of recording statement of approver would amount to casting aspersions on the Court and judge. This is not the first case or last case where the approver has been made.
• Law of approver is over 100 years old and not one year old. It cannot be suggested that it was enacted to implicate the present petitioner.
• There cannot be any specific privilege for any one including the Chief Minister
• Kejriwal’s challenge to the timing of arrest before General elections in the absence of any mala fide on the part of ED is not sustainable.
• The issue before this Court does not consider the issues of political parties, but of investigating agency. A Court has to be dispassionate and decide a case in accordance with law.
• ED was able to place enough material in the shape of ‘Hawala’ material, and statements of approver that he was given money in cash for Goa elections. Money was sent in cash for the Goa elections.
• The arrest is not in contravention of law, remand cannot be termed illegal.
• ED was in possession of enough material which led to arrest of Arvind Kejriwal in money laundering case.
• Arvind Kejriwal‘s ED remand after arrest cannot be held to be illegal.

The case pertains to alleged corruption and money laundering in formulating and executing the Delhi government’s excise policy for 2021-22 that was later scrapped.

(with agency inputs)