• Source:JND
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Arvind Kejriwal High Court Hearing:  Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) last month in the Delhi Liquor Policy case, slammed the probe agency in the High Court on Wednesday during his bail hearing. This comes as the Delhi High Court reserved its order after hearing the arguments of both sides in the case. 

While terming the timing of his arrest as unconstitutional, Kejriwal told the court that "the sole purpose of the arrest is to humiliate him' and 'to incapacitate the party."

AM Singhvi, Kejriwal's lawyer, while presenting the case for interim relief before the Delhi High Court, also said that the ED had taken action devoid of any "inquiry, statement, or material that could warrant an arrest".

What does Team Kejriwal say in the court?

Representing Delhi CM Kejriwal in the HC, Singhvi said that the probe agency does not have any evidence against him. The senior lawyer also pointed out at the procedural flaws in the ED action, saying that "while arresting Mr Kejriwal, no attempt was made to take his statement at home... ED should have done this before arresting him."

While starting his arguments, Singhvi urged the court to "keep in mind the importance of the case in terms of level playing field." He further said, "It is part of free and fair elections which in turn is part of democracy which in turn is part of the basic structure."

While responding to the allegations of ED on Kejriwal's non-participation in summonses, Singhvi said: "Now comes my third point. My not responding to summons is a red herring. I respond in writing every time. The red herring that I sent you summons so many times is no answer to saying I have no material to arrest," quoted Bar and Bench.

"The only object is to humiliate and insult. The true object of the arrest is to disable me," he said on behalf of Kejriwal.

"Was there a possibility of Arvind Kejriwal fleeing? Did he try to influence any witness in one-and-a-half years? Did he refuse to be questioned?" the senior advocate asked.

What ED has told the court?

After the lunch break, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju responded by stating that Arvind Kejriwal was merely attempting to "defend himself based on selective portions of statements from certain people."

"Money laundering has taken place... the court has taken cognisance and the accused have also accepted it. But Kejriwal is trying to defend himself based on some parts of statements..." he said.

While dismissing the charge of Kejriwal's side that his arrest was timed ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, ASG said: "... to say we did this when elections are coming (is wrong). This was from much prior... all of this was not before the election. That is only a bogey to deflect from real issues."