Supreme Court Reserves Verdict On Arvind Kejriwal’s Petition Challenging His Arrest

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday reserved its verdict on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s petition challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a money-laundering case related to the Delhi excise policy scam.

The Bench, comprising Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Datta, heard arguments from both sides, with senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi representing Kejriwal and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta along with Additional Solicitor General SV Raju representing the ED. The court allowed Kejriwal to seek bail from the trial court and requested both parties to submit their written notes and documents within a week.

Kejriwal, who was arrested on March 21 by the ED, was granted a 21-day interim bail by the Supreme Court on May 10 for campaigning in the Lok Sabha polls, with an order to surrender by June 2. He challenged the Delhi High Court’s decision upholding his arrest.

The ASG presented evidence suggesting money routed to the AAP through hawala channels, while Singhvi alleged selective consideration of witness statements by the ED.

The Bench also asked the ED to present new evidence justifying Kejriwal’s arrest after the arrest of former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in connection with the same case. Sisodia had resigned from the Delhi Cabinet following his arrest by the CBI on February 26, 2023, and subsequent arrest by the ED on March 9, 2023.