Delhi High Court Reserves Order On Plea By Arvind Kejriwal Challenging Arrest

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday reserved its verdict on a petition filed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the excise policy scam. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, after hearing arguments from both sides, stated, “I am going to reserve judgement.”

Kejriwal, who was arrested on March 21, questioned the timing of his arrest, alleging it was against the constitutional principles of free and fair elections and a level-playing field. He is currently in judicial custody and was represented by senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi.

Representing the agency, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju opposed the petition, emphasizing that the money-laundering allegations against Kejriwal were prima facie evident. Raju denied any bias on the part of the ED, stating that the case was based on evidence and asserting that “criminals are supposed to be arrested and put in jail.”

The ED’s senior counsel clarified that the petition challenged only the first remand order, which detained Kejriwal in the agency’s custody until March 28, and not subsequent orders. Kejriwal’s arrest came after the high court declined to provide him protection from coercive action by the anti-money laundering agency.