The Delhi High Court has declined to urgently hear Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals plea challenging his arrest and custody by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Kejriwal was arrested on Thursday and remanded to ED custody until March 28. He had sought an urgent hearing, but the matter will now be listed for Wednesday.This development follows the denial of interim protection to Kejriwal by the Delhi High Court on Thursday, just hours before his arrest by the ED. On Friday, he appeared before Special Judge Kaveri Baweja, who granted the ED custody to delve deeper into alleged money laundering and corruption.Delhi Excise policy case | Delhi High Court denies an urgent listing of the plea filed by Delhi CM and AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal challenging his arrest and custody in the case. An urgent mentioning was made by his counsel for an urgent listing. The HC denied it and…— ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2024What did the court orderThe judge ordered, The accused is hereby remanded to the custody of ED till 28.03.2024 for the purposes of his detailed and sustained interrogation... to unearth the remaining proceeds of crime and for confronting him with data retrieved from digital devices and material seized during the investigation.Kejriwals plea argues the illegality of his arrest and remand, insisting on immediate release, as per PTI reports.The case centers on alleged corruption and money laundering related to the Delhi governments excise policy for 2021-22, which was later scrapped. Senior AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are also in judicial custody in connection with the case.Who will be the CM of DelhiMeanwhile, AAP leaders maintained that Kejriwal will govern from jail. Punjab CM and AAP leader Bhagwant Mann stated that they will seek court permission to establish an office in jail for government operations.Legal experts note that while theres no legal bar on a Chief Minister governing from jail, Kejriwal may face challenges in discharging duties. Constitutional expert PDT Achary clarified that compliance with jail regulations is crucial. He explained, If a jail manual permits such things, then it is ok otherwise, he has to get permission from the court.
