Delhi Excise Policy Case: Arvind Kejriwal Moves SC Challenging HC Order

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday moved the Supreme Court, challenging a recent high court ruling that upheld his arrest in a money laundering case related to an alleged excise scam.

The Delhi Chief Minister’s counsel, Vivek Jain, stated that they have filed the petition in the apex court against the high court’s decision. It is expected that his plea will be urgently considered by a bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud on Wednesday.

In a setback to Kejriwal’s political standing ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Delhi High Court upheld his arrest in the money laundering case on Tuesday.

The court maintained that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was compelled to take action as Kejriwal repeatedly ignored summonses and declined to cooperate with the investigation. Additionally, the high court referred to the ED’s allegation that Kejriwal was involved in conspiring and actively engaging in the use and concealment of illicit funds, dismissing his petition against the arrest.

The high court rebuked the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader for questioning the timing of his arrest, asserting that an investigation should be impartial regardless of the social or economic status of those involved.

The case revolves around suspected corruption and money laundering in the formulation and execution of the Delhi government’s excise policy for the year 2021-22, which was subsequently scrapped.

Kejriwal was apprehended by the ED on March 21, shortly after the high court declined to shield him from coercive measures by the federal anti-money laundering agency. He was remanded to judicial custody on April 1 after appearing in the trial court following the conclusion of his custody by the ED.