Arvind Kejriwal challenges his arrest and ED custody in Delhi High Court
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has filed an appeal with the Delhi High Court against his “illegal” arrest and the subsequent Enforcement Directorate, media reports said.
The AAP leader has sought an expedited hearing and demanded his immediate release.
Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on Thursday in a money laundering investigation in connection with the alleged Delhi liquor policy scandal.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) sought Kejriwal's custody, alleging that he had received kickbacks in return for favours and was described as the "kingpin" and a major conspirator in the alleged scam.
According to the agency, the revoked Delhi liquor policy of 2021-22 allowed for a profit margin of 12% for wholesalers and nearly 185% for retailers. Of this 12%, it claims that six percent was to be extracted from wholesalers as kickbacks for AAP leaders.
The ED alleges that the total proceeds of the crime amount to Rs 600 crore. Further, a lobby known as the South Group purportedly provided Rs100 crore in advance to another accused in the case, Vijay Nair, who was associated with the ruling party in Delhi.
The Rouse Avenue court in Delhi granted the agency a seven-day custody on Friday.
Taking his case to the Delhi High Court on Saturday, Kejriwal has challenged the legality of his arrest and the custody decree, arguing they are invalid.
Urging an immediate hearing from the acting chief justice of the high court by Sunday, the AAP leader asserted his right to be freed from detention without delay.
Notably, the Delhi High Court had declined to provide Kejriwal protection from arrest on Thursday, following which he was detained by the Enforcement Directorate a few hours later.
Earlier on Saturday, in a message conveyed by his wife Sunita Kejriwal, the chief minister urged AAP workers to continue their work for the betterment of society and advised against harbouring animosity towards anyone, including the BJP workers.
Kejriwal's party alleges that the BJP has manipulated agencies and singled out opposition leaders such as himself.
"There are several forces within and outside India that are weakening the country. There is no jail that can keep me behind bars for long. I will come out soon and keep my promises," he said in the message.
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