Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal faced a significant setback from the High Court today. The HC upheld his arrest and judicial custody as justifiable in connection to the Delhi liquor scandal. Kejriwal's petition was not only dismissed, but the court also clarified the strength of the Enforcement Directorate's evidence. The court declared Kejriwal was complicit in the conspiracy and had solicited bribery. Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma affirmed that there were no legal provisions violated during Kejriwal's detention, nor was it in any way unlawful. Current High Court observations suggest Kejriwal may encounter even more difficulties ahead, and further complications seem inevitable.
The Enforcement Directorate originally detained Arvind Kejriwal on March 21, followed by a 10-day interrogation period. Subsequently, the trial court sent Kejriwal to Tihar Jail for a 15-day judicial custody on April 1. He has been incarcerated at Tihar for over 10 days now while the timeline of his arrest spans over 21 days. Kejriwal had labeled his arrest and custody as illegitimate, which was challenged in the High Court. The HC heard both sides - the ED and Kejriwal - and reserved its judgment on April 3.
'AAP Will Challenge in Supreme Court'
The High Court delivered its verdict on Tuesday. The HC recognized that the ED had substantial evidence for the arrest. The trial court appropriately sent Kejriwal into custody. Relying on ED's proof, the High Court noted Kejriwal's involvement in the excise policy formulation process and his position as the party's coordinator. The court highlighted this was not a bail hearing but a question of the legality of his arrest and custody, to which AAP responded, declaring they would contest this decision in the Supreme Court.
Revelations of Laundering, Witnesses, and Illicit Earnings...
The High Court has paved the way for implicating AAP in this case. The court mentioned the case before it is not about two political parties but an investigative agency against an alleged accused who is also the Chief Minister. Disclosures in court suggested that Vijay Nair received a bribe of INR 100 crores from Kejriwal and AAP. During investigations, the confessions from approvers and witnesses highlighted evidence of the alleged bribe received from the South Liquor Lobby. Recorded proofs from IT raids and Call Data Records supported this claim, including the utilization of the proceeds of crime – around INR 45 crores – in the Goa elections.
The full content also delved into further evidence and repercussions that Kejriwal might face due to the decision, including the intricacies of the judicial statements and what they entail for the AAP leader's future.
