New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal told the Supreme Court on Saturday that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has acted in a "very arbitrary manner" in a money-laundering case related to the alleged excise duty policy scam.
Responding to the ED's counter affidavit filed on his petition challenging his arrest in the case, Kejriwal said he has always cooperated in the investigation.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader said the ED has said in its counter affidavit filed in the apex court that one of the reasons why his arrest was necessary was that he appeared before the investigating officer (IO) despite being summoned. Had not happened. Nine times.
Kejriwal said the ED in its reply has said that in such a case, the IO was justified in taking the view that custodial interrogation would lead to 'qualitatively more interrogation oriented' interrogation of the accused.
“The above gist, text and contents of the reply leave no doubt that the ED has acted in a very arbitrary manner in gross disregard of due process of law,” he said.,
Kejriwal further claimed that a holistic reading of the ED's stand in its response would expose "falsities and blatant lies" in the conduct of its proceedings.
He said the records would show that he had duly responded to each and every summons issued to him while seeking important details and information which could be claimed by the ED as privileged or confidential under any circumstances.
Kejriwal claimed that the ED has never revealed the alleged non-cooperation against him.
He said, "What was the need for not calling the petitioner (Kejriwal) through an authorized agent or asking for information or documents from him in writing or through virtual mode and insisting on his presence in person is not apparent." is coming.''
The AAP leader said his plea was acceptable and he deserved immediate release.In its counter affidavit filed in the top court earlier this week, the ED has claimed that Kejriwal is the "kingpin and main conspirator" of the excise police scam and that arrest of a person for a crime on the basis of material "can never be of the concept". cannot be violated." For free and fair elections"
The ED also claimed that Kejriwal worked closely with his ministers and AA leaders and was also involved in "demanding bribes" from the liquor business in return for benefits given in the policy.
Terming Kejriwal's plea challenging his arrest as "baseless", the ED has said the material which had formed the basis of the IO's satisfaction for arresting him had been studied by various courts.
The ED had arrested Kejriwal on March 21 after the Delhi High Court refused to grant him protection from punitive action by the federal anti-money laundering agency. He is currently lodged in Tihar jail under judicial custody.On April 15, the apex court issued a notice to the ED and sought its response on Kejriwal's petition.
The high court had on April 9 upheld Kejriwal's arrest in the money laundering case, saying there was no illegality in it and that the ED had "little option" after repeatedly issuing summons and refusing to join the investigation. Was left.
The case pertains to alleged corruption and money laundering in the formulation and implementation of the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-2, which was later cancelled.
Responding to the ED's counter affidavit filed on his petition challenging his arrest in the case, Kejriwal said he has always cooperated in the investigation.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader said the ED has said in its counter affidavit filed in the apex court that one of the reasons why his arrest was necessary was that he appeared before the investigating officer (IO) despite being summoned. Had not happened. Nine times.
Kejriwal said the ED in its reply has said that in such a case, the IO was justified in taking the view that custodial interrogation would lead to 'qualitatively more interrogation oriented' interrogation of the accused.
“The above gist, text and contents of the reply leave no doubt that the ED has acted in a very arbitrary manner in gross disregard of due process of law,” he said.,
Kejriwal further claimed that a holistic reading of the ED's stand in its response would expose "falsities and blatant lies" in the conduct of its proceedings.
He said the records would show that he had duly responded to each and every summons issued to him while seeking important details and information which could be claimed by the ED as privileged or confidential under any circumstances.
Kejriwal claimed that the ED has never revealed the alleged non-cooperation against him.
He said, "What was the need for not calling the petitioner (Kejriwal) through an authorized agent or asking for information or documents from him in writing or through virtual mode and insisting on his presence in person is not apparent." is coming.''
The AAP leader said his plea was acceptable and he deserved immediate release.In its counter affidavit filed in the top court earlier this week, the ED has claimed that Kejriwal is the "kingpin and main conspirator" of the excise police scam and that arrest of a person for a crime on the basis of material "can never be of the concept". cannot be violated." For free and fair elections"
The ED also claimed that Kejriwal worked closely with his ministers and AA leaders and was also involved in "demanding bribes" from the liquor business in return for benefits given in the policy.
Terming Kejriwal's plea challenging his arrest as "baseless", the ED has said the material which had formed the basis of the IO's satisfaction for arresting him had been studied by various courts.
The ED had arrested Kejriwal on March 21 after the Delhi High Court refused to grant him protection from punitive action by the federal anti-money laundering agency. He is currently lodged in Tihar jail under judicial custody.On April 15, the apex court issued a notice to the ED and sought its response on Kejriwal's petition.
The high court had on April 9 upheld Kejriwal's arrest in the money laundering case, saying there was no illegality in it and that the ED had "little option" after repeatedly issuing summons and refusing to join the investigation. Was left.
The case pertains to alleged corruption and money laundering in the formulation and implementation of the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-2, which was later cancelled.
