Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s troubles increased
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal got a big blow from the High Court on Tuesday. The Delhi High Court has rejected the petition filed against Kejriwal’s arrest and remand. The court said in its order that his arrest is not a violation of the law. After this decision, Arvind Kejriwal will remain in jail for the time being.
The bench of Justice Swaran Kant Sharma said in its decision that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has sufficient grounds for the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal. The bench also said that giving Arvind Kejriwal remand by the special court is also legal. The bench said that this is not just a matter of arrest and remand for Arvind Kejriwal; it is also an issue of understanding the legal provisions for the common man. That is why the bench is clarifying the legal side in detail. The grounds on which Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal opposed the arrest and remand are baseless.
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The bench said that the material collected by the ED shows that Arvind Kejriwal had hatched the conspiracy. He was actively involved in concealing the use of the proceeds of crime. ED’s investigation also reveals that he was involved in all this as the convenor of Aam Aadmi Party. The arrest by ED is absolutely justified by law. The bench emphasized that the law applies equally to all. Courts are concerned with constitutional morality, not political morality. That’s why Kejriwal’s petition was rejected.
Action to stop election campaign of Arvind Kejriwal
Arvind Kejriwal’s lawyer argued that he was arrested on the day of the announcement of Lok Sabha elections, so that he could not be a part of the elections.
ED has enough evidence
The Delhi High Court said that the ED has sufficient prima facie evidence regarding the allegations. The law applies equally to everyone. Arvind Kejriwal being a politician does not mean that after the name of an accused comes out, he should be kept out just so that he can be a part of the Lok Sabha or other elections. There is no privilege for any individual under the law. If there is evidence, no matter the time, the accused will be arrested.
Purpose to harass
It was argued on Arvind Kejriwal’s behalf that the Center has deliberately implicated him in the money amendment issue even though there is no evidence against him. The whole purpose is to create trouble at this time.
No role of central government
The High Court said that this matter is not between the Center and Kejriwal but between Arvind Kejriwal and ED. The central government has no role in this. The investigating agency is doing its work.
Chief Minister Kejriwal’s arguments and High Court’s answers
Argument: The ED deliberately chose the time when elections are on the horizon.
Court’s comment: Arrest will be made as per law and not on the basis of the election date.
Argument: The method of recording the statements of government witnesses was not correct.
Court’s comment: Raising questions about recording the statement of the High Court bid is like tarnishing the court.
Argument: The arrest is politically motivated.
Court’s comment: The court said that judges are bound by law and not by politics.
Argument: Arvind Kejriwal’s appearance could have also been done through video conferencing. ED deliberately insisted on calling him to court.
Court’s comment: The accused will not decide how the investigation is to be conducted; the investigation cannot be conducted as per the convenience of the accused.
What happened since the arrest until now?
On March 21, ED arrested Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and on the same day, Kejriwal filed a petition in the Supreme Court but withdrew it the next day. On March 22, Rouse Avenue Court sent Kejriwal on ED remand. On March 23, the Chief Minister went to the Delhi High Court. On April 1, the court sent Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to Tihar Jail in judicial custody until April 15. On April 3, after the High Court completed the hearing on Kejriwal’s petition, the court reserved the decision.
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