'Kejriwal is kingpin in excise policy case'; ED reiterates in court

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday reserved its verdict on the plea filed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Delhi excise policy scam case. The ED, which strongly opposed the plea, reiterated its serious allegations against Kejriwal.

Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, who appeared for the ED, said that Kejriwal was the kingpin of the 100-crore bribery scam. He also alleged that Kejriwal had a huge role in the scam as a person and as the national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party.

Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who appeared for Kejriwal, argued that the central agency arrested Kejriwal with political intentions in order to keep him away from the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He also asked where the bribe money was. The ED responded that there was no connection between the election and Kejriwal's arrest.

According to the ED, Kejriwal made deals shrewdly. It also retorted by asking how it could find the bribe money from Kejriwal's residence if he had handed it over to others. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma reserved the verdict after hearing both sides.

ED says it has evidence

The ED told the High Court that it possesses evidence such as WhatsApp chats related to bribery transactions, statements related to hawala operations and income tax documents.

1. It is ridiculous to say that criminals should not be arrested as elections are approaching
2. Shouldn't Kejriwal be arrested because he's the Chief Minister?
3. The High Court should consider that the investigation is at a crucial stage

Biased stance, says Kejriwal
Adv Abhishek Manu Singhvi stated that criminal laws should not be misused in this way.

1. No definite grounds for arresting Kejriwal
2. ED obtained statements against Kejriwal by threatening the approvers
3. Approvers Sarath Reddy, Raghav Magunta etc. have connections with the party ruling at the Centre