Liquor Policy Case: Delhi High Court Set To Deliver Verdict On Kejriwal's Plea Against ED Arrest Today - All About It

The Delhi High Court is set to deliver its verdict on a petition filed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering case linked to the alleged liquor policy scam.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma is expected to pronounce the order at 2.30 pm today (9 April), NDTV reported.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief has labeled the accusations against him as politically motivated and challenged his arrest by the ED. He has been sent to judicial custody at Tihar jail until 15 April.

In a High Court hearing on 3 April, Kejriwal raised concerns over the timing of his arrest, saying it was against the basic structure of the Constitutions as it disturbed the level playing field in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

However, the ED countered, labelling Kejriwal as the "kingpin" in the alleged scam and asserting that the law treats everyone equally, regardless of their political status.

"Aam aadmi has to go behind bars if he has committed a crime but because you are a chief minister you can't be arrested? You will loot the country but no one can touch you because the elections are coming? You say your arrest will infringe on basic structure? what type of basic structure is this?" the ED had argued.

Kejriwal was arrested by the central agency on 21 March after the High Court denied him protection from coercive action.

On 1 April, he was sent to jail for two weeks after 11 days of ED custody.

The Delhi government's liquor policy, which was aimed at revamping the capital’s liquor industry, was scrapped after allegations of procedural anomalies were investigated following orders from Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena.

The ED has alleged that the policy was manipulated to generate illicit profits, which were purportedly used to finance the AAP’s electoral activities.

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