Delhi Court Reserves Order On ED Application Seeking Arvind Kejriwal’s Remand

New Delhi: Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court has reserved its order on Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s petition challenging his late-night arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The agency has sought custody of Kejriwal for 10 days, claiming him to be the “kingpin” and “key conspirator” in the case.

The ED alleged that Kejriwal acted as a middleman between various parties involved, including ex-Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and AAP officer Vijay Nair. The agency claimed that the scam’s total proceeds exceeded ₹600 crore, with ₹100 crore allegedly paid by a group including Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader K Kavitha.

Kejriwal, denying all charges, spent the night at the agency’s office and will be represented by senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi. The ED accused Kejriwal of demanding kickbacks for favours and claimed that ₹45 crore of these kickbacks were used in AAP’s election campaigns in Goa and Punjab.

Responding to the allegations, Singhvi argued against the necessity of Kejriwal’s arrest, stating that the power to arrest does not imply the need to arrest. He questioned the evidence against Kejriwal and criticized the agency’s approach.

Meanwhile, Kejriwal’s legal team withdrew a Supreme Court plea challenging his arrest, considering the court’s recent response to a similar plea by Kavitha.

Kejriwal was arrested following the Delhi High Court’s refusal to grant him protection from arrest on Thursday.