Court Seals To 7 Days Extension of Kejriwal’s Custody, Kejriwal To Remain CM From Jail

The Delhi Rouse Avenue court deferred its decision on the Enforcement Directorate’s request for a 7-day extension of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s custody remand.

During the proceedings, the ED presented a remand application citing the need for further interrogation of Kejriwal to confront him with additional individuals. “Statements of some AAP Goa candidates are being recorded,” the ED informed the court.

ASG SV Raju, representing the ED, stated that Kejriwal’s statements had been recorded but with evasive replies, suggesting a lack of cooperation. “He is deliberately not cooperating with us,” ASG Raju remarked, according to ANI.

Earlier, as Kejriwal was brought to the courtroom at the conclusion of his ED custody, he labeled the situation as a political conspiracy and expressed confidence that the public would respond accordingly.

In a separate development, the Delhi High Court also dismissed a PIL seeking Kejriwal’s removal as Delhi Chief Minister, emphasizing that such decisions fall under the purview of the Executive. The court’s stance was clear: “It is for the Executive to decide… There is no rule to remove him.”

No scope of judicial interference: 

However, the Delhi High Court today (Mrach 28) rejected a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that aimed to remove AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal from his position as chief minister after his arrest in connection with the excise policy-linked money laundering case.  The court declined to delve into the merits of the issue, stating that it was beyond the purview of judicial intervention.

“It is for other branches of the government to assess in accordance with legal protocols,” the bench, which also included Justice Manmeet PS Arora, remarked. During the proceedings, the court requested petitioner Surjit Singh Yadav’s legal representative to demonstrate the legal impediments to Kejriwal continuing as chief minister.