Arvind Kejriwal goes to Supreme Court against arrest after High Court setback

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday moved the Supreme Court, a day after his plea challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection to the liquor policy case was dismissed by the Delhi High Court, setting a huge setback to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor just a week before the Lok Sabha elections.

His lawyers will demand an early hearing in the case at 10.30 am today.

During the hearing on Tuesday, the Delhi High Court said the AAP supremo “conspired with others” and was “actively involved in using the proceeds of crime”, according to materials provided by the ED.

It also said that Kejriwal was involved in a personal capacity in the formulation of the now-scrapped liquor policy and demanding kickbacks, and as the national convenor of AAP, he participated in activities linked to the scandal.

While delivering the verdict, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma said Kejriwal’s “remand cannot be termed illegal’ as his “arrest is not in contravention of law”.

Shortly after the Delhi High Court’s order, AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said the party would move the Supreme Court on Wednesday as it did not agree with the verdict.

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 in connection to a money laundering case linked to the Delhi liquor policy case.

He is currently lodged at the Tihar Jail until April 15 after he was sent to 14-day judicial custody.

Also on Wednesday, Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court is set to announce it order on another plea filed by the Chief Minister seeking more time to meet his lawyers.