In a major development, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal withdrew his plea from the Supreme Court against his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with an excise policy-linked money laundering case.
During the Supreme Court hearing, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Arvind Kejriwal, informed the bench that the Delhi Chief Minister has decided to withdraw the petition. Singhvi stated that the withdrawal is necessary as it conflicts with Kejriwal's ongoing remand proceedings.
Why did Kejriwal withdraw his plea?
"Since the remand proceedings before the trial court later in the day will be clashing with the hearing in the top court, he be allowed to withdraw the plea," Singhvi mentioned the matter before a bench headed by Justice Sanjiv Khanna.
He said Kejriwal would contest the remand proceedings before the trial court and then come back to the apex court with another petition.
"You may go there (before trial court). Just write an e-mail to the registry. We will see," Justice Khanna told Singhvi. The move came hours after Justice Khanna had told Singhvi that Kejriwal's petition against his arrest would be heard by a three-judge bench during the day.
Kejriwal had moved to top court against his arrest
Earlier today, the Supreme Court had agreed to hear a plea of the Delhi Chief Minister in connection with the matter. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi mentioned Kejriwal's plea before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud for an urgent hearing.
The Enforcement Directorate had presented documents related to its investigation before the court, asserting the necessity of questioning Arvind Kejriwal. The Delhi Chief Minister had approached the court following the ninth summons issued by the ED, requiring him to appear before it on Thursday, March 21.
What is the case?
The case pertains to alleged corruption and money laundering in the formulation and execution of the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22, which was subsequently annulled. AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are currently in judicial custody in connection with the case.
It should be mentioned here that Kejriwal's name has been mentioned multiple times in the chargesheets filed by the ED. The agency alleges that the accused were in communication with Kejriwal during the formulation of the excise policy, resulting in undue benefits for them in exchange for kickbacks paid to the party.
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