In a significant development, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has not been granted relief by the Delhi High Court. The court extended the deadline for the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to respond to Kejriwal's arrest, postponing the next hearing to April 3, 2023. The hearing commenced on a Wednesday morning wherein Kejriwal, post a two-hour preliminary inquiry on March 21st, was taken into custody at his official residence in connection with the Delhi liquor scam. The Rouse Avenue Court consequently remanded him to ED’s custody until March 28th.
Justice Swarnakanta Sharma's bench issued a notice to the ED seeking a response to Kejriwal's plea challenging his arrest and custody. The agency has been directed to file a reply by April 2nd, with the court scheduled to reconvene on April 3rd for further proceedings.
The ED has until April 2nd to file a response
The legal team representing Kejriwal appealed for his immediate release and an urgent hearing on the matter. However, the ED opposed any expedited proceedings, requesting additional time to respond to the application and the writ petition. The High Court granted the ED time until April 2nd to file their response, scheduling the case for April 3rd.
The ED's lawyer stated - 'Received copy of the petition only yesterday'
ASG SV Raju, representing the ED, expressed that they had received the copy of the petition just the prior day and required time to file responses for both the application and the writ petition. Kejriwal had challenged his arrest and the remand order in the High Court, demanding immediate release from custody.
The court states - ED's response is crucial
The court remarked that when making a decision on a case, it is bound by the principles of natural justice to hear both parties impartially. Thus, the ED's response is deemed essential and significant for making an informed decision on the case at issue. The High Court dismissed Kejriwal's argument that the ED's response was unnecessary.
