Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal’s appeal, which challenges nine summonses from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and his subsequent remand by the investigative body in connection with the excise policy-related money laundering case, will be heard by the Delhi High Court on Monday, April 22.
After being summoned to appear before the ED, Arvind Kejriwal requested and was denied interim protection against coercive measures by the High Court. On March 21, the ED arrested him. The national convenor of the AAP has also contested the constitutionality of some of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act’s sections pertaining to detention, questioning, and bail.
In his plea, Kejriwal raises several issues, including whether political parties fall under the purview of anti-money laundering legislation. He contends that the arbitrary application of the PMLA aims to unfairly influence the electoral process in favor of the ruling party at the Centre during the general elections.
A bench comprising Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain will preside over the proceedings.
On March 23, a day subsequent to his arrest, Kejriwal approached the High Court, alleging a violation of his fundamental rights by the ED, and politicization of the action. However, the court dismissed the plea on April 9, stating that the arrest was lawful as Kejriwal’s repeated refusal to comply with summonses left the probe agency with little choice. The court concluded that the ED had adequate evidence to justify the arrest, asserting that Kejriwal’s actions compelled the timing of his arrest.
Kejriwal subsequently appealed to the Supreme Court, challenging the High Court’s decision. The Supreme Court issued a notice to the probe agency and scheduled the hearing after April 29, denying interim relief to the chief minister.
Meanwhile, the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi extended the judicial custody of Kejriwal, currently detained at Tihar Jail, until April 23.