The Supreme Court on Monday sought clarification from the counsel representing Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal regarding the omission of a bail application filing before the trial court. This inquiry emerged during the hearing of a petition contesting Kejriwal’s arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Delhi excise policy case.
On March 21, Kejriwal was apprehended by the ED as part of a money laundering investigation into alleged irregularities in the now-defunct Delhi excise policy 2021-22. Appearing on Kejriwal’s behalf, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi explained that the bail application was not submitted because the arrest was deemed illegal, as reported by ANI.
The apex court further inquired if the chief minister was named in the Central Bureau of Investigation’s case or the ED’s Enforcement Case Investigation Report. Kejriwal’s lawyer, however, responded that his client was not named in either report. The Supreme Court has adjourned the hearing until Tuesday.
During the proceedings, Singhvi presented arguments that this was a traditional bail case and urged the court to consider Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. He emphasized that Kejriwal’s arrest occurred after the Model Code of Conduct was in place and questioned the lack of prior action if there was substantial evidence.
Earlier on April 25, the ED submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court, opposing Kejriwal’s plea against his arrest. The agency stated that he had not cooperated with their investigation despite multiple summons.
Meanwhile, Kejriwal’s wife, Sunita, and cabinet minister, Atishi Marlena, visited him in Tihar jail on Monday. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is expected to meet Kejriwal on Tuesday.
