The Delhi High Court is poised to deliver its judgment on Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s petition contesting his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the excise policy case. Scheduled for Tuesday, the verdict will be announced by a single-judge bench presided over by Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma at 2:30 pm, according to the cause list available on the court’s website.
Kejriwal’s petition not only questions his arrest but also challenges his subsequent remand in the custody of the ED. Earlier, on April 1, the Rouse Avenue Court had ordered his judicial custody until April 15.
The legal saga began on March 27 when Justice Sharma issued a notice regarding the CM’s primary petition against his March 21 arrest, along with his plea for interim relief seeking immediate release. This was listed for “final disposal” on April 3. Following a four-hour hearing on April 3, Justice Sharma reserved the verdict.
During the proceedings, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, contended against the “illegal” arrest, asserting that it was a deliberate attempt to incapacitate him from active political involvement, thereby violating the principles of a fair electoral process and the Constitution’s Basic Structure.
On the other hand, the ED, presented by Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, argued against Kejriwal’s stance, stating that individuals facing criminal charges or undertrials cannot claim immunity based on impending elections, essentially suggesting they could commit crimes with impunity.
As anticipation mounts, the Delhi High Court’s verdict tomorrow will be pivotal, shaping the trajectory of this legal battle and potentially impacting the political landscape.