New Delhi, May 7
In a recent development, the Supreme Court has raised concerns regarding the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) perceived delay in its investigation into the money laundering case associated with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The case, which is linked to the excise policy, has drawn attention from the judiciary, particularly concerning the timing of Kejriwal’s arrest and the probe’s progress.
A bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta directed the ED to present case files both prior to and subsequent to the arrest of not only Kejriwal but also former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia, who is also implicated in the case. This directive underscores the court’s scrutiny of the ED’s handling of the investigation.
During the proceedings, the bench queried the ED about the prolonged duration of the probe, expressing skepticism over the two-year timeline it took to unearth pertinent details. Additionally, the court raised questions about the agency’s approach towards witnesses and accused individuals involved in the case, emphasizing the necessity of direct and relevant inquiries.
In response, the Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, representing the ED, clarified that initially, Kejriwal wasn’t the primary focus of the investigation, and his involvement became apparent at a later stage. Raju highlighted alleged discrepancies in Kejriwal’s expenses during the 2022 Goa Assembly polls, suggesting that part of the bills for his stay at a seven-star hotel were purportedly covered by the Delhi government’s general administration department.
Furthermore, Raju provided documentation contradicting Kejriwal’s claims that statements of approvers were suppressed by the ED, reinforcing the agency’s stance on the transparency of its procedures.
The ongoing arguments in the case underscore the complexities surrounding Kejriwal’s arrest on March 21, with the Chief Minister currently detained in Tihar Jail under judicial custody. The Supreme Court’s involvement stems from Kejriwal’s plea challenging the legality of his arrest, prompting the court to issue a notice to the ED on April 15.
This legal saga began when the Delhi High Court upheld Kejriwal’s arrest on April 9, asserting the ED’s actions as justified given Kejriwal’s repeated refusal to comply with summonses and participate in the investigation. The case revolves around allegations of corruption and money laundering in the formulation and implementation of Delhi’s excise policy for the fiscal year 2021-22, further highlighting the gravity of the matter at hand.
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