AMN
The Delhi High Court dismissed the plea moved by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the money laundering case related to the alleged liquor policy scam case, as well as the remand order passed by the trial court sending him to ED custody.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma upheld his arrest and subsequent remand holding that ED was able to place enough material, statements of approvers and AAP’s own candidate stating that Kejriwal was given money for Goa elections.
On Kejriwal’s arguments challenging the timing of arrest ahead of General elections, the Court held that challenge timing of arrest, in the absence of any mala fide on part of ED, is not sustainable.
Mr. Kejriwal is currently in judicial custody. He was arrested on the night of March 21. On March 22, the trial court remanded him to six days of ED custody, which was extended by further four days. On April 01, he was remanded to judicial custody till the 15th of April.
JUDGES ARE BOUND BY LAW NOT POLITICS’: HC
The HC further said that Kejriwal’s challenge to timing of arrest before General elections in absence of any mala fide on part of ED is “not sustainable”.
It said that casting aspersions on process of pardon and approver is like questioning the credibility of the judge. “We hold that judges are bound by law not politics. Judgements are given on legal principles not political considerations,” the HC remarked.
The High Court further said that the ED was in possession of enough material which had led them to arrest Kejriwal. “Non joining of investigation by Kejriwal, delay caused by him was also impacting those in judicial custody,” it said.