Delhi HC Denies Interim Relief for Arvind Kejriwal, Plea Hearing Set for April 3

Delhi HC Denies Interim Relief for Arvind Kejriwal, Plea Hearing Set for April 3

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday denied Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is being held by the Enforcement Directorate, any temporary respite. The court just sent notices about Kejriwal’s appeal and scheduled a follow-up hearing for April 3. In response to Arvind Kejriwal’s plea for immediate release and a declaration that his detention and remand were unlawful, a bench of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma sent a notice to the ED, requesting a response by April 2.

The senior counsel AM Singhvi, who represented Kejriwal, said that the ED did not need to respond, a claim that the high court rejected. The court stated that because it has a duty to hear all parties equitably while adhering to the principles of natural justice, the ED’s response is vital to the outcome of the current case.

Fair Hearing Principle and Kejriwal’s Custody Update

Due to the nature of the issues raised in this petition, the court concluded that the respondent should be given the chance to file a reply in order to have an effective representational voice. The court further stated that denying the respondent this opportunity would violate the principles of natural justice, specifically audi-alteram partem, which applies to both parties, not just one, and would deny the respondent a fair hearing.

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Kejriwal’s current remand expires tomorrow, therefore the ED is expected to present him in court on Thursday. In relation to the Delhi liquor investigation, the ED detained Kejriwal last Thursday and requested six days of detention beginning on March 22. Kejriwal’s prison remand may be extended, and the ED may ask the court to issue an order placing him in judicial custody.