Delhi excise policy case: Arvind Kejriwal to remain in jail as Supreme Court turns down urgent hearing
New Delhi/IBNS: In a setback for the Delhi Chief Minister, the Supreme Court on Monday turned down an urgent hearing on Arvind Kejriwal's plea challenging the arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the liquor policy case, media reports said.
This means Kejriwal will remain in jail till April 29.
Kejriwal remaining in jail till the end of this month means his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will campaign the initial days of Lok Sabha elections without its topmost leader.
The Delhi High Court last week refused to give any relief to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo.
The HC held that Kejriwal is allegedly involved in a personal capacity in the formulation of policy and demanding kickbacks and is accountable in the capacity of national convenor of his party AAP.
Kejriwal and the AAP have alleged the arrest was timed for just before the Lok Sabha election to sideline the party's senior-most leaders, including the Chief Minister, and disrupt campaign plans.
Kejriwal's arrest was therefore ruled valid and his plea was dismissed. The court upheld its earlier remand orders - which sent him to the ED's custody and then to Delhi's Tihar Jail till April 15.
Kejriwal is the first sitting Chief Minister to be taken into custody.