the Delhi High Court has refused interim relief to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was arrested last week in connection with a liquor policy case. The court heard a petition filed by Kejriwal challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a money-laundering case linked to the aforementioned matter.
During the proceedings, lawyers representing Arvind Kejriwal urgently sought his release from Enforcement Directorate custody, which is scheduled until March 28, and pressed for an immediate hearing on the matter. However, the Enforcement Directorate countered the plea, requesting time to file a response to both the application and the writ petition filed by Kejriwal. Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing the Enforcement Directorate, informed the court that they received a copy of the petition on Tuesday and required time to prepare a response.
The High Court, acknowledging the importance of hearing both sides fairly and adhering to the principles of natural justice, deemed the Enforcement Directorate’s response crucial to deciding the case. Consequently, the court instructed the Enforcement Directorate to file a reply by April 2.
In its ruling, the Delhi High Court scheduled the next hearing on the matter for April 3, indicating a clear timeline for further proceedings. The decision not to grant interim relief to Kejriwal underscores the gravity of the charges against him and the necessity for a comprehensive examination of the case.
