Money Laundering Case: Delhi High Court refuses to grant bail to Arvind Kejriwal

The Delhi HighCourt has refused to grant bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal while hearing a petition challenging his arrest and detention by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case linked to his arrest in the liquor policy scam.

Delhi High Court passed order today on a plea moved by CM Arvind Kejriwal challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in the Excise Policy money laundering case. Earlier it was scheduled to pass at 2:30 pm.

Delhi High Court says that the material collected by the ED reveals that Mr Arvind Kejriwal conspired with others. The ED case also reveals that he was involved in this case l in his personal capacity as well as convenor of AAP. Hon’ble court said granting pardon to approver is not under ED’s domain and is a judicial process. If you cast aspersions on the process of pardon…you’re casting aspersions on the judge, said the Court. The contention that Kejriwal could have been questioned through VC is to be rejected. It is not for the accused to decide how the investigation is to be done. It cannot be as per the convenience of the Accused. This court won’t set two sets of laws- One for the commons and the other for the public servants. There cannot be any specific privilege for any one including the Chief Minister, said Delhi High Court.

Delhi High Court says that (Delhi CM) Kejriwal has been arrested in a money laundering case and the court has to examine his arrest and remand as per law irrespective of the timing of the elections. Delhi High Court says Kejriwal’s challenge to the timing of arrest before General elections in the absence of any mala fide on the part of ED is not sustainable. Court further says that the issue before this Court does not consider the issues of political parties, but of investigating agency. A Court has to be dispassionate and decide a case in accordance with law. Delhi High Court stated that ED was able to place enough material in the shape of ‘Hawala’ material, and statements of approver that he was given money in cash for Goa elections. Money was sent in cash for the Goa elections. The arrest is not in contravention of law, remand cannot be termed illegal.