Delhi High Court upholds Arvind Kejriwal’s detention amidst liquor policy scandal

In a pivotal development that has captured the nation’s attention, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday decisively rejected a petition against the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, in connection with the controversial liquor policy case. Labelled by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as the “kingpin” of the scam, Kejriwal will continue his detention at Delhi’s Tihar Jail until April 15, following a city court’s directive.

The court’s decision comes as a setback to Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which had challenged the Chief Minister’s March 21 arrest. The High Court’s ruling underscores the severity of the allegations against Kejriwal, who is accused of orchestrating a policy that allegedly involved demanding kickbacks worth ₹100 crore. These funds were purportedly used to finance campaign expenses for the 2022 Goa elections.

The Enforcement Directorate presented materials indicating Kejriwal’s involvement in the scam, including statements from approvers and an AAP Goa candidate, which contributed to the court’s decision to dismiss Kejriwal’s plea and uphold his custody.

Kejriwal’s arrest has ignited a political firestorm, with AAP announcing its intention to appeal to the Supreme Court. The case has not only legal but also significant political implications, as Kejriwal is the first sitting Chief Minister to be taken into custody. The AAP and its supporters argue that the timing of the arrest, just before the Lok Sabha election, is an attempt to sideline the party’s senior leaders and disrupt its campaign strategy.

However, the court dismissed these allegations, stating that the investigation and arrest were conducted independently of electoral considerations. This stance has sparked further debate and controversy, with political figures and parties exchanging heated remarks over social media platforms.

The liquor policy, now scrapped, is accused of setting extraordinarily high profit margins that allegedly facilitated substantial kickbacks for the AAP, amounting to over ₹600 crore. These funds are believed to have been used for electoral expenses, a charge Kejriwal and the AAP vehemently deny, claiming a political conspiracy aimed at tarnishing the Chief Minister’s image.

As Kejriwal faces these allegations from behind bars, the political landscape of India remains intensely scrutinized, with citizens and observers alike awaiting the Supreme Court’s response to AAP’s forthcoming appeal.

This case marks a critical juncture in Indian politics, highlighting the intricate relationship between political governance and legal accountability. As developments continue to unfold, the nation watches closely, anticipating the next chapter in this high-stakes legal and political drama.