HC refuses interim relief to Kejriwal

On 27th March, the Delhi High Court refused to give interim relief to Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal against his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate(ED), which is probing money laundering under PMLA in the Delhi’s excise policy case.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma issued notice to ED on Kejriwal’s petition challenging his arrest on 21st March, and directed ED to file its reply by 2nd April . Earlier the court had also not entertained the Chief Minister’s plea that the nine summons issued to him were illegal, after which the agency arrested him from his official residence.

The judge clarified in the order that no adjournment shall be granted in the case, which would be taken up for final disposal on 3rd April. “This Court deems it appropriate to issue notice of the main writ petition as well as application for grant of interim relief, returnable on 03.04.2024,” Justice Sharma ordered.

The ED is likely to extend custody of Kejriwal, which ends on 28th March, when the Delhi CM will appear in Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court.