In a recent development, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has strongly criticized Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal following the rejection of Kejriwal’s plea by the Delhi High Court. The plea was against his arrest in connection with an ongoing investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Puri emphasized the need for Kejriwal to take moral responsibility and resign from his position as Delhi’s chief minister. He pointed out that Kejriwal had allegedly received nine summons from the ED between November 2023 and March 2024 but had evaded them consistently over the past six months.
According to Puri, the law has finally caught up with Kejriwal, and his continuation as chief minister while being behind bars is an act of “shamelessness.” Puri asserted that Kejriwal should step down and allow someone else to govern the state.
The high court, in its ruling, stated that the ED possessed substantial evidence leading to Kejriwal’s arrest. This evidence included statements from an approver, a hawala dealer, and an AAP candidate in the Goa elections. The court deemed Kejriwal’s arrest and subsequent remand as lawful based on this evidence.
Reacting to the high court’s decision, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announced its intention to challenge the ruling in the Supreme Court. Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj denounced the decision, labeling it as a political conspiracy to undermine the party and Kejriwal.
Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21 after the high court refused to grant him protection from coercive action by the agency. Following this, he was sent to judicial custody on April 1 after the expiry of his ED custody. Presently, Kejriwal remains incarcerated in Tihar jail.
The ongoing legal battle has raised significant political tensions in Delhi, with the AAP vehemently opposing the allegations and asserting their leader’s innocence. Meanwhile, calls for Kejriwal’s resignation intensify, signaling a tumultuous period ahead for the political landscape of the national capital.
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