Arvind Kejriwal arrest: ED asks HC for more time to file reply in money laundering case against Delhi CM

The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday asked the Delhi High Court for three weeks to reply to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's plea against his arrest in the ongoing Excise Policy case.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju representing the ED sought time to file a detailed reply to Kejriwal's 'bulky' plea. Raju said that they got a copy of the petition only yesterday. For interim relief as well, appropriate time should be given to respond, Raju said.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma was hearing the case.


"Glaring issues in Kejriwal's arrest in excise policy-linked case require immediate decision," senior advocate AM Singhvi representing the Aam Aadmi Party's National Convenor told the court. "ED's request for time to file reply to Kejriwal's challenge to arrest in excise case a delay tactic," Singhvi said.

Kejriwal was arrested by the ED in the money laundering probe on March 21, only to be remanded to the ED custody till March 28. He was arrested hours after the Delhi HC refused to grant him protection from coercive action by the federal anti-money laundering agency.

The case revolves around the alleged corruption and money laundering involved in the development and implementation of the Delhi government's excise policy for FY22, which was subsequently scrapped.

Key AAP leaders including Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are currently detained in judicial custody as part of the case. The ED has continued to raid leaders of AAP allegedly involved in the scam.

Kejriwal's name has been mentioned multiple times in the chargesheets filed by the ED.

The ED has claimed that the accused were in touch with Kejriwal regarding the formulation of the excise policy, leading to undue benefits for them. In exchange, they allegedly provided kickbacks to the AAP.