Plea To Remove Arvind Kejriwal

The ED is investigating what it claims is an ₹ 600 crore scam involving the now-scrapped liquor excise policy for the national capital. The agency believes the profit margins were revised arbitrarily to cover bribes paid for the allotment of alcohol sales licences, and that this money - amounting to ₹ 45 crore at least - was used by the AAP to fund its Goa and Punjab election campaigns.

Last week the acting Chief Justice said the removal of a sitting Chief Minister is outside the scope of judicial interference. "It is for the other wings of the government to examine, in accordance with the law, this issue," the court said. And for the plea before that, a bench led by then Chief Justice Rajendra Menon made a firm statement, noting "prosecution is going on... he may be acquitted".

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested March 21 in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam that has roiled the AAP weeks before the election. The opposition has condemned the arrest of a sitting Chief Minister and other senior political leaders, including the Bharat Rashtra Samithi's K Kavitha.

Arguing for interim relief Wednesday, Mr Kejriwal's lawyer questioned the timing of the arrests.

"Why this urgency? I am not talking about politics... am talking about law," senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, arguing the arrest was meant to "demolish AAP before the first vote is cast".

Mr Kejriwal and the AAP have vehemently denied all charges, and have accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of manipulating central agencies, like the ED, to target and harass rivals before polls.

The BJP, in turn, has denied these claims.

The 2024 Lok Sabha election will be held over seven phases beginning April 19. The results will be declared on June 4.