New Delhi: Giving a major setback to Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi High Court dismissed the plea and declared that the arrest made by the probe agency was valid. The order was pronounced today by Delhi High Court which was kept reserved earlier.
The court while pronouncing the verdict made it clear that the present petition is not for the grant of bail but for deciding if the arrest was illegal or not.
The bench of Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma said, ED was in possession of enough material which had led them to arrest Kejriwal. Non-joining of the investigation by Kejriwal, delay caused by him was also impacting those in judicial custody.
The material collected by the Enforcement Directorate reveals that Arvind Kejriwal conspired and was actively involved in the use and concealment of proceeds of crime. The ED case also reveals that he was involved in his personal capacity as well as the convenor of Aam Aadmi Party.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma also upheld the subsequent remand orders, including the one remanding Kejriwal to judicial custody.
AAP on Delhi High Court Verdict:
Aam Aadmi Party does not agree with the decision of the Delhi High Court. Kejriwal will go to the Supreme Court against HC’s decision. Kejriwal can go to the Supreme Court tomorrow itself
Important statements made by Delhi HC:
- Present petition is not for grant of bail but to decide whether the arrest was illegal or not.
- Material collected by ED reveals that Kejriwal conspired and was involved in formulation of excise policy and used proceeds of crime.
- Involved in personal capacity in formulation of policy and demanding kickbacks and secondly in the capacity of national convenor of AAP.
- Who gives tickets for contesting election or who purchases electoral bonds is not the concern of the court.
- Kejriwal’s remand can’t be termed as illegal.
- The matter before this court is not a conflict between central govt and Kejriwal. It’s a case between Kejriwal and ED.