On April 9, 2024, the Delhi High Court delivered a significant ruling, dismissing a plea filed by Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Admi Party supremo, Arvind Kejriwal. The plea challenged his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy case. The court upheld the validity of Kejriwal’s arrest and the subsequent remand order that sent him into ED custody123.
Background
Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 by the Enforcement Directorate in relation to the excise policy case. His plea before the high court sought to challenge both the arrest itself and the remand order issued by the trial court.
Court’s Rationale
The Delhi High Court emphasized that the Enforcement Directorate possessed substantial evidence that justified Kejriwal’s arrest. The court also rejected Kejriwal’s objections to the use of an approver’s statement against him. It clarified that the decision to grant pardon to an approver falls within the purview of the judicial process, not the ED’s domain2.
Impact
The court’s ruling has implications for both Kejriwal and the ongoing investigation. The delay caused by Kejriwal’s non-cooperation also affected others who were in custody. The court considered this as a contributory factor but not the sole reason for its decision1.
This development adds another layer of complexity to the legal proceedings surrounding the Delhi Excise Policy case.
