(Image source from: Timesnownews.com)

One day after the Delhi High Court rejected his plea contesting his detention in the liquor policy case, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal approached the Supreme Court today. The representative of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader brought up the matter with Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and requested an immediate hearing. The Chief Justice declined to confirm if a hearing would be granted today. "We will consider it, we will examine the situation," he replied. Yesterday, the high court dismissed Mr. Kejriwal's challenge against his arrest on March 21 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The court stated that the central agency had limited choices after the AAP leader ignored multiple summonses in the money laundering case. It also highlighted the ED's accusation that Mr. Kejriwal was actively involved in the utilization and concealment of alleged proceeds of crime. The court emphasized that there is no distinct protocol for a investigating agency to follow when interrogating an ordinary citizen or a Chief Minister.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma stated that power is derived solely from holding a public office, as public figures are granted this privilege by the public's mandate. In response to the high court ruling, Saurabh Bharadwaj, an AAP leader and Delhi Minister, mentioned that the ED and CBI found no illegal money during their searches related to the Delhi liquor policy case. He expressed his belief that witnesses were coerced into changing their statements to align with the ED's desires. Bharadwaj referred to the situation as a significant political conspiracy in India's history and highlighted that the high court had denied relief to AAP MP Sanjay Singh for similar reasons, whereas the Supreme Court granted him bail. He expressed hope that Arvind Kejriwal would also receive justice from the Supreme Court. Initially, Kejriwal filed a petition with the Supreme Court immediately after his arrest, but later withdrew it to address the matter in the trial court.

The Supreme Court bench denied Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader K Kavitha, who is also a defendant in the liquor policy case, any form of assistance. In the previous instance, the highest court stated that it could not disregard procedure and instructed Ms Kavitha to seek redress from the trial court. Now, after eighteen days and a setback in court, Mr Kejriwal has returned to the Supreme Court seeking relief.