Question on Kejriwal! Delhi High Court asked- Why are you not appearing on summons? The lawyer gave this answer…
Hearing on the application of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has started in the court of Justice Suresh Kait and Justice Manoj Jain in Delhi High Court. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Kejriwal, said that all the summons of the Enforcement Directorate are not as per the legal procedure and provisions. Kejriwal’s lawyer Singhvi has also demanded protection from arrest. Singhvi said that political party has not been defined in the PMLA Act. Singhvi has demanded to issue a notice from Delhi High Court and said that reply should be sought from ED in this matter.
What else did Singhvi say?
Singhvi said that the court should issue a notice in this regard and ask the investigating agency what is their stand on the ground of our argument and opposition? Singhvi said whether political parties come under the purview of PMLA? This issue was discussed in the Supreme Court in the bail case of Manish Sisodia. The matter is pending.
On behalf of ED, ASG SV Raju raised questions on Kejriwal’s petition and said that this petition is not worthy of hearing. We will file a reply on this. ED said that summons was issued to Kejriwal for the first time on 2 November 23, since then he has not appeared till date.
What did Delhi High Court say?
Delhi High Court asked, ‘Why is Kejriwal not appearing on summons?’ On this, Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that 10 summons were issued. We filed replies on all. We have said that we are ready to appear before the ED virtually at any time and answer. Singhvi said, ‘We (Kejriwal) have no problem in appearing but we need some protection.’
Whereas ASG Raju opposed the demand of issuing notice on Kejriwal’s petition. The court asked how many people have been arrested so far. ASG Raju said that a total of 15 people have been arrested so far in the case. The last arrest has been made by Kavita. A total of 700 summons have been issued so far, currently 10 to 12 people are suspects in the case.
Delhi High Court issued notice to ED
Delhi High Court has issued a notice to ED on the issue of whether Kejriwal’s petition is hearable or not and has sought a reply within 2 weeks. The next hearing of the case will be on April 22. At present there is no protection on any action of ED against Kejriwal.
