Kejriwal’s Emotional Plea: No Evidence Justifies Incarceration, High Court Urged to Deliver Justice
New Delhi: Kejriwal Challenges ED’s Bail Opposition in Excise Policy Case
In a significant legal development, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday contested the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) plea opposing his bail in the Delhi excise policy case, asserting that he has been framed with a "false and concocted story." Appearing before the Delhi High Court, Kejriwal argued that the ED lacked substantive evidence to justify his further incarceration.
Kejriwal, who was arrested by the ED on March 21 on money laundering charges and subsequently by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on June 26 over corruption allegations linked to the excise policy, declared in his 130-page response that he is a "victim of a witch-hunt." According to the Chief Minister, the agency coerced other accused individuals to testify against him in exchange for leniency regarding their bail.
"The bail order passed by the trial court was not only well-reasoned but also indicated a proper application of judicial mind," said Kejriwal, emphasizing that his arrest was executed "illegally" with the intent to "harass and humiliate a political opponent."
Kejriwal maintained that no credible evidence exists that would warrant his continued imprisonment. He criticized the move to challenge his bail as a potential "grave miscarriage of justice," arguing that discretionary bail orders should not be overturned based on speculative perceptions of the prosecution.
Highlighting the period of ED custody from March 22 to April 1, Kejriwal noted that "nothing specific or relevant" to the investigation was explored by the officers, further suggesting that his arrest was merely a means to politically target him.
The Delhi High Court, having previously stayed the trial court’s bail decision on June 20 at the ED’s request, has scheduled the next hearing for July 15. The unfolding case continues to draw significant attention, reflecting the intense legal and political battles surrounding Delhi’s excise policy controversy.
Original Story https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/no-material-in-possession-of-ed-to-justify-incarceration-kejriwal-to-hc/article68389377.ece
Category : Delhi
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