Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has challenged his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Delhi Excise Policy case before a special bench of the Supreme Court. The bench, composed of Justices Sanjiv Khanna, MM Sundresh, and Bela Trivedi, is set to hear Kejriwal's plea, marking a crucial juncture in the ongoing legal battle.

The urgency of Kejriwal's plea was underscored as Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi swiftly brought the matter before Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, seeking an urgent listing. Responding to the urgency, CJI Chandrachud directed Singhvi to present the case before the special bench led by Justice Khanna in court 2.

However, the procedural intricacies led to a moment of confusion when Singhvi rushed to court 2 only to find that the special bench had adjourned. Justice Khanna clarified that the matter would be listed before the three-judge special bench, rather than the regular bench currently in session.

Kejriwal's arrest by the ED follows the denial of interim protection by the Delhi High Court, reflecting the gravity of the allegations against him. The ED's investigation stems from a case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with alleged irregularities in the Delhi Excise Policy for 2021-22. 

This case was initiated based on a complaint by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, alleging a criminal conspiracy involving AAP leaders and unidentified entities during the policy formulation stage.

Notably, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and AAP Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Sanjay Singh are already in custody in connection with the same case. The recent arrest of K Kavitha, daughter of Bharat Rashtra Samiti legislator and former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, further underscores the widening scope of the investigation.

In a related development, the Supreme Court had earlier declined relief to Kavitha in her plea challenging her arrest, indicating the rigorous legal scrutiny surrounding the case.

Case: Arvind Kejriwal vs. Directorate of Enforcement,

W.P. (Crl.) No. 13598/2024.