Arvind Kejriwal Delhi High Court Hearing: Alleged Bid to Halt Participation in Election

Arvind Kejriwal Delhi High Court Hearing: Alleged Bid to Halt Participation in Election

Wednesday’s Delhi High Court hearing considered Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s plea against the ED’s arrest in the liquor policy issue. Kejriwal’s incarceration, attorney Abhishek Manu Singhvi told the court, was an obvious sign of a democratic crisis because it would keep him from participating in the electoral process. The arrest was a bid to demolish the party (the Aam Aadmi Party) even before the first vote was cast, Singhvi said, beginning the argument.

Singhvi questioned the necessity of Kejriwal’s detention, saying: “Level playing field is not just a phrase or word; it is part of free and fair elections, which are part of democracy and fundamental infrastructure. The arrest bespeaks of a timing problem: trying to destroy the political party ahead of the election and not take part in it. The timing bespeaks problems with democracy, fundamental structure, and free and fair elections. The timing begs questions about democracy, free and fair elections, and fundamental structure. What is the need or urgency here?

Kejriwal was placed in 15 days of judicial prison by the Rouse Avenue court on April 1. The Delhi chief minister is contesting his detention in a plea that was submitted to the high court. Even after being transferred to Tihar, Kejriwal remained chief minister; nevertheless, AAP MP Sanjay Singh was granted bail in the same case on Tuesday. However, the Supreme Court ruled that Sanjay Singh’s bail could not be used as precedent in any other case. The ED contended that since elections had already taken place and the ED had not yet gotten involved, Kejriwal was unable to face the fear of them.

Also Read: Arvind Kejriwal’s Health at Risk, ‘Lost 4.5 kg’ Since Arrest by ED: Atishi Raises Concerns

Scam beyond doubt: ED

The ED lawyer declared that the existence of a scam is certain. “Despite your outcry today, it is evident that there was a scam and that the public and the exchequer lost out on the money. It was not at the time of the elections that there was a scandal involving 100 crore. Elections are too much of a phobia for them. The time for the elections has arrived. It’s not as though ED is now operational,” ED counsel remarked.