The World Opinion

Tag: Arvind Kejriwal Arrest

  • Arvind Kejriwal Arrest: Court’s Custody Order Includes A Word Of Caution For CBI | TOP DEVELOPMENTS |

    New Delhi: The trial court in Delhi ordered 3-day custody of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) following his arrest by the agency in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. Special Judge Amitabh Rawat explained that Kejriwal’s custody was necessary due to the investigation’s findings, his alleged role, and the need to confront him with the evidence. He also cautioned the agency against being “overzealous.” 

    The court declined to declare the arrest illegal, stating that while the timing of the action might be “circumspect,” it cannot be the sole reason to deem the arrest unlawful.


    The judge stated that investigating is the CBI’s prerogative, but the law includes certain safeguards. He based his decision on the evidence presented and determined that the arrest could not be considered illegal at this point in the case. However, the judge warned the agency not to be overly zealous. 


    The judge directed the authorities to conduct a medical examination of Kejriwal and permit him to meet with his wife and lawyer every day for 30 minutes. As per reports, the Delhi CM is allowed to keep ‘Bhagwadgeeta’ with him. Home-cooked food is also allowed during the remand period, the court said.


    The CBI’s move followed the Delhi High Court’s decision to stay the bail granted to the AAP chief by the Rouse Avenue court a few days earlier.



    According to the CBI, Kejriwal allegedly requested monetary contributions to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) from Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, who was then a YSRCP Lok Sabha MP, in exchange for support for the liquor business in the national capital.


    The CBI identified him as one of the primary conspirators involved in the irregularities associated with the now-cancelled excise policy of 2021-22.


    The agency also alleged that AAP received Rs 100 crore as kickbacks and funneled Rs 44.45 crore for the Goa election campaign.


    According to ANI, during the hearing Kejriwal told court, “They are tarnishing our image in the media by using unnamed sources. Their plan is to make it headline news that Kejriwal has shifted all the blame to Manish Sisodia.” He denied that he ever gave any statement against Manish Shishodia. Delhi CM added, “Manish Sisodia is innocent, Aam Aadmi Party is innocent. I am also innocent.”


    In response to Kejriwal’s accusation, the CBI stated that no source had made such claims. The agency’s lawyer clarified that he was presenting arguments based on factual evidence.


    In response to the Chief Minister’s arrest, Arvind Kejriwal’s wife, Sunita Kejriwal, criticized the Centre, claiming that the entire ‘system’ is working to keep her husband in jail. She stated that this is unlawful and likened it to ‘dictatorship’ and ‘Emergency’.


    On June 20, the trial judge approved bail for Kejriwal in the money laundering case. The following day, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed an urgent petition with the High Court challenging the bail decision. After extensive arguments from both parties, the High Court reserved its decision on the ED’s request to suspend the bail order, thereby delaying Kejriwal’s release until the court’s ruling.

  • Arvind Kejriwal Arrest: Delhi CM Will Surrender At 3 PM, Will Return To Tihar Jail Today | Top Developments |

    Arvind Kejriwal Arrest: June 2 is here and that is when Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi and leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), is all set to return to Tihar Jail. Delhi CM was denied immediate relief on his interim bail plea by a Delhi court. Although, the court has postponed its decision on the plea until June 5.

    June 2 – Eventful Day Ahead 

    In a press conference, Mr. Kejriwal said, “The day after tomorrow, I will leave my house (on June 2) around 3 pm to surrender. We are fighting against tyranny, and if I have to sacrifice my life for the country, do not mourn.”

    ED Arrested Delhi CM On March 21 

    Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 in connection with the Delhi excise policy case.

    Kejriwal Was Granted Temporary Bail On May 10 

    He was granted temporary bail by the Supreme Court on May 10, which lasted until June 1, allowing him to campaign for the elections. He was instructed to surrender on June 2.

    SC Declines Kejriwal’s Extension Request 

    The Supreme Court declined to list Delhi CM’s plea for an extension of the interim bail on May 28, stating that “no reasonable cause or grounds” were presented to entertain his application. The Supreme Court had previously suggested that Kejriwal could apply for bail while reserving its order on his petition challenging his arrest by the ED.

    Plea To Rouse Avenue Court 

    Kejriwal submitted two pleas to the Rouse Avenue Court: one for a seven-day interim bail to undergo medical tests, and another for regular bail in the money laundering case filed by the ED. Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court has reserved its verdict on the request. 

    Kejriwal filed interim bail plea on medical grounds. He cited fluctuating sugar levels and increased ketone levels, which could indicate diabetic ketoacidosis, a potentially fatal complication. Various tests, including a PET scan, LFT, KFT, CBC, and Holter test, needed to be conducted, which could take up to a week. 

    ED Attacks Kejriwal Over Plea Request

    The ED argued in court on Saturday that Kejriwal’s interim bail plea was not maintainable as he was already out on bail. Additional Solicitor General S V Raju and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta stated that Kejriwal must surrender and return to Tihar Jail before his interim bail plea could be considered.

    The ED’s lawyers argued that the trial court does not have the inherent power to release a person without adhering to the strict sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), which state that bail can only be granted if a prima facie case against the accused is not established.

    The ED opposed Kejriwal’s plea, stating that he was seeking an extension of the interim bail granted by the Supreme Court and that only a person in custody could seek bail. It was also argued that it was the responsibility of a higher court, not the trial court, to release a person without complying with section 45 of the PMLA. 

    ED Questions Bail Plea Based On ‘Medical Reasons’

    The ED also claimed that Kejriwal’s medical tests would only take a few hours, not several days, and that the prison authorities could look after him in jail. They suggested that the increase in Kejriwal’s ketone levels could be due to a urinary tract infection (UTI). 

    They also questioned why Kejriwal did not visit the doctor earlier after being released from jail and accused him of trying to extend his interim bail by delaying the process. They pointed out that Kejriwal had been campaigning after being granted interim bail.

    The court has decided to reserve its decision on the interim bail plea until June 5.

  • Arvind Kejriwal To Surrender On Sunday: ‘Lost 6 Kg In Jail, Doctor Says It Can Be Sign Of Serious Disease’ |

    Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal – who has been out on interim bail – said he will surrender before the police at Tihar Jail on Sunday, June 2. The Supreme Court had on May 10 granted 21-day interim bail to Kejriwal to enable him to campaign during the Lok Sabha polls.

    Addressing the media on Friday, Kejriwal said that his health deteroriated in the jail. “I am a patient of serious diabetes for the last 20 years. I am given four injections everyday for the last 10 years but when I was in jail, they stopped my medication. My sugar levels reached around 300. Kidney and liver get affected if your sugar level remains so high for such long time. I don’t know what they wanted. I lost 6 kgs while in jail. Doctor is suggesting that this can be a sign of some serious disease, many tests are needed to be done. Ketone level in my urine has also increased,” says Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.

    Also Read: Arvind Kejriwal To Surrender On Sunday: ‘Lost 6 Kg In Jail, Doctor Says It Can Be Sign Of Serious Disease’

    Kejriwal will surrender on June 2. “I will leave from my house at around 3 pm. It is possible that they torture me even more this time but I will not break,” mentioned Kejriwal. He urged Delhiites to take care of themselves and promised that no work in Delhi will stop because of his jail time. “I am always concerned about you while in jail. Your Kejriwal will be happy only if you are happy. But you don’t worry, all of your work will keep happening,” the CM said.

    At the press conference, he added, “I have always taken care of your families like a son. Today, I want to ask something from you for my family. My parents are very old. My mother is ill. I worry about them in jail. Please take care of them, pray for them. My wife Sunita is very strong. She has always been with me in all my hardships. We are all fighting against dictatorship. Don’t be saddened even if I lose my life fighting for the country.”

    Check Ou Kejriwal’s Video Below:

     

    मुझे परसों सरेंडर करना है। माननीय सुप्रीम कोर्ट का बहुत-बहुत शुक्रिया। https://t.co/1uaCMKWFhV
    — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 31, 2024

    Kejriwal was lodged in Tihar Jail since April 1. He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on charges of corruption and money laundering in the execution of the Delhi government’s now scrapped excise policy for 2021-22.

  • Kejriwal’s Interim Bail Plea: SC To Hear Arguments Due To Lok Sabha Elections On May 7

    Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, who was representing the ED, that the hearing on Kejriwal’s plea against arrest was likely to take time, so the court was considering hearing the probe agency on interim bail for him.

  • Arvind Kejriwal To Be Removed As Delhi CM? High Court To Hear PIL Tomorrow |

    Following the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the alleged excise policy money laundering case, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is refuting any plans to depose Kejriwal from his position. They express their intention to ask permission from the court and continue operating the Chief Minister’s office even from the prison. On Thursday, the Delhi High Court is scheduled to review a public interest litigation (PIL) aiming to remove Arvind Kejriwal from his role as Chief Minister of the Delhi government. Justices Manmohan and Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora will hear the case. 

    Surjit Singh Yadav, represented by lawyer Shashi Ranjan Kumar Singh, submitted the plea after the arrest of Delhi CM, asserting that the retention of Arvind Kejriwal as the Chief Minister of the Government of NCT of Delhi following his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam and money laundering case has diminished the trustworthiness and reputation of the Government of NCT of Delhi among the general populace. 

    What Does The PIL Imply? 

    The PIL is based on the statement of Atishi, a Minister in the Government of Delhi, who conducted interviews with the media on March 21 after Kejriwal’s arrest. In these interviews, she asserted that Arvind Kejriwal would not step down from his position and, if required, would continue to govern from the prison. Before the ED’s arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi High Court had declined to issue orders offering temporary safeguards against coercive measures in the case. 

    The plea asserts that if Kejriwal remains as Chief Minister of the Government of NCT of Delhi, it will disrupt due process of justice, and potentially cause a breakdown of the state’s constitutional machinery. 

    Kejriwal was apprehended by the ED on March 21 in relation to the Delhi Excise Policy case associated with money laundering. He was then remanded to the ED custody until March 28. On Wednesday the remand was further increased till 3 April. The case involves suspected irregularities and money laundering concerning the formulation and execution of the 2022 Delhi excise policy, which was later annulled.

  • `Solve Health Issues In Delhi…`: CM Kejriwal Directs Health Minister In 2nd Order From ED Custody

    Previously, while under the ED’s custody, CM Kejriwal had issued an initial order on Sunday, instructing Water Minister Atishi to address water and sewage problems in the capital city.

  • Delhi CM Kejriwal`s First Directive In ED Custody Leaves Minister Atishi Emotional

    In his directive, CM asked the Jal Board and the concerned ministry to maintain adequate supply of drinking water in areas facing shortage.