Delhi excise policy case: Setback for Arvind Kejriwal; Delhi HC dismisses his plea, says his arrest is legal

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed the plea filed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal challenging his arrest and remand by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the excise policy scam case. The court, which observed that Kerjriwal's arrest was legal, pointed out that the ED was able to produce sufficient evidence against the Delhi CM.

The petition was heard by the bench of Delhi High Court Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma. The court said that there was enough evidence to show that Kejriwal was involved in the conspiracy and that the money received was spent on the Goa assembly elections.

The court further stated that this court is of the opinion that the accused has been arrested and his arrest and remand have to be examined as per law and not as per the timing of elections. Kejriwal's challenge to the timing of arrest before General elections in the absence of any mala fide on part of ED not sustainable, said the court.

Arvind Kejriwal through the plea alleged that the ED has at the time of arrest "failed to establish" that the petitioner is guilty of committing activities stipulated under Section 3, i.e., be it one of concealment, possession, acquisition, use of proceeds of crime as much as projecting it as untainted property or claiming it to be so.

Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 by the Enforcement Directorate in relation to the excise policy case. He was arrested after being questioned for more than 2 hours.