Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE updates: Delhi HC to pronounce order on CM’s plea shortly

Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE updates: MLAs from both the ruling AAP and opposition BJP held protests on the Delhi assembly premises on Wednesday.

Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE updates: Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya hit out at Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, saying that his attempts to gain sympathy from the people of Delhi by issuing orders from the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) expressing concern about Delhi’s health services will not be successful.

“You (Kejriwal) have not fulfilled your responsibilities. You should have taken proper care of your health infrastructure from time to time. Now you are giving directions from jail just to gain sympathy from people. You will not be successful,” Mandaviya said, speaking to ANI on Friday.

Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE updates: Delhi HC will pronounce the order on CM Kejriwal’s plea shortly.

Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE updates: Tense moments prevailed outside the BJP state headquarters in the heart of the state capital on Wednesday after hundreds of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers marched there and burnt an effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

At the same time, a small group of BJP workers came out of the party office at Mararji Bhavan here and tried to confront the protesting AAP activists.

The police prevented both sides from clashing with each other by acting as a barrier between the two groups.

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva says that Arvind Kejriwal should step down from the post of chief minister.

He tells ANI: “Our demand is that because Arvind Kejriwal is corrupt and has looted Delhi, he should resign. AAP is shielding the thieves. A person in custody is maintaining his position as a CM. How is this ethical? AAP should think this through, and Kejriwal should resign.”

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has said that the government in the capital will not run from jail. “I can assure the people of Delhi that the government will not be run from jail,” he said while addressing the Times Now Summit.

His comments come against the backdrop of statements by AAP leaders that Arvind Kejriwal will continue as chief minister even if he is behind bars.

Arvind Kejriwal news LIVE updates: The blood sugar level of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is diabetic, is fluctuating and his health has deteriorated in Enforcement Directorate custody, AAP sources claimed on Wednesday.

Arvind Kejriwal’s blood sugar level dropped to 46 Mg at one point of time and according to doctors, such a drop is “very dangerous”, they claimed.

India has strongly objected to remarks made by the United States on the arrest of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.

In a statement, the ministry of foreign affairs said: “We take strong objection to the remarks of the spokesperson of the US State Department about certain legal proceedings in India. In diplomacy, states are expected to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of others. This responsibility is even more so in case of fellow democracies. It could otherwise end up setting unhealthy precedents.”

The ministry further added that India’s legal processes are based on an independent judiciary which is committed to objective and timely outcomes. “Casting aspersions on that is unwarranted,” it said.

After arguments, the Delhi high court is likely to pass an order on Arvind Kejriwal’s plea seeking immediate release in the Delhi liquor excise policy case around 4:30 pm.

“Since I have not heard the other side, I am not reserving judgment. I will pass orders. Around 4:30/4:45pm, I will upload the order,” the judge said.

“They (Kejriwal’s counsel) deliberately did not give us the copies. They are talking about a level playing field but they did not give us copies despite our requests. It was their duty to give copies to us. When it comes to practice, there is a double standard. If they wanted a fair hearing today, so that we come prepared they could’ve sent us the copy on Saturday only. We had written them an email on Sunday, Monday,” ASG SV Raju, appearing for the ED, told the court.

The Ministry of External Affairs has summoned the acting deputy chief of mission of the US Embassy in New Delhi over remarks made by the US on CM Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, appearing for the ED, says that the ED requires time to file a reply.

“The right to be heard also includes the right to file a reply. It was a deliberate delay on their part (Kejriwal’s counsel) to see that the copy was given to me at the last minute. Look at the type of objections. They are absolutely useless,” he says.

Abhishek Singhvi concludes his submission while urging the court to allow CM’s prayer of immediate release.

He says: “This is a matter where democracy itself is involved. Basic structure is involved. Level playing field is involved…ED is achieving inch by inch object of making the petition infructuous.”

Abhishek Singhvi tells the high court that Section 70 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), which deals with offences by companies, does not include political parties within its ambit.

Continuing their protest against Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest, leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) earlier today demonstrated outside the Delhi assembly, turning up in yellow T-shirts for the stir.

The T-shirts had the slogan ‘Main Bhi Kejriwal’ (I am also Kejriwal) printed on the back. More details.

Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi says that ED’s attempt to file a reply in this plea despite everything being on record is a “motivated delaying tactic”. He adds that it is also a tactic to “let the CM rot in jail”.

Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for the ED, has sought three weeks to file a reply to the plea moved by Arvind Kejriwal.

Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi further says that the ED is currently at the “non-trial preliminary intermediate stage” and that there was no necessity to arrest the CM based only on “alleged material”. He also says that a statement from an approver cannot form the basis of an arrest.

In a video message, Arvind Kejriwal’s wife Sunita said that the jailed CM will present a detailed reply on the “so-called Delhi liquor scam” in the court tomorrow (March 28).

“Arvind Kejriwal has said he will reveal everything in the court on March 28. He will reveal where the money of the liquor scam is… He will also provide proof…,” Sunita Kejriwal said. More details.

Abhishek Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, says that the CM had asked ED (while replying to the summons) to give him a questionnaire and allow him to appear through video conference, but the ED never pursued that. “What is it that needs his arrest which you cannot do without arrest?” he asks.

He adds: “You just can’t say that I have the power to arrest…there should be a necessity to arrest.”

Further, Abhishek Singhvi says that even though the ED issued summons to the chief minister 14 months after the registration of the FIR, his arrest was made without recording a statement under Section 50 of the PMLA.

“What was the necessity to arrest? Singhvi asks. “Non-cooperation is one of the most abused phrases since the ED become active.”

Abhishek Singhvi adds that the ED has not recorded any statement of the chief minister under Section 50 of the PMLA. “Power to arrest is not equal to the necessity to arrest nor the obligation to arrest,” he says.

Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing on behalf of Kejriwal, argues: “The objective of arrest is to make it a non-level playing field without realising that it directly impinges the basic structure. By creating a non-level playing field you are hitting at the heart of democracy and the heart of the basic structure.”

Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi again says that ED seeking time to file a reply is a “deliberate delaying tactic”. He urges the court to allow him to submit his response in the CM’s prayer for an immediate release.

“Hearing is one thing and taking time for a reply when matter speaks for itself is a deliberate delaying tactic. Reply can’t be different from the ground of arrest and remand order,” Singhvi argues.

Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi says that the foundation of the arrest is bad since it impinges on the basic structure. He says that the ED arrested a sitting chief minister at the cusp of elections when the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was in force.

“If you do anything that disturbs the level playing field – then you’re impinging on the basic structure,” Singhvi adds.

After a brief passover, the Delhi High Court has resumed hearing the petition filed by jailed Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate.

Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing on behalf of the chief minister, is arguing.

During the protests outside the Delhi Assembly against the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, AAP Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj tells ANI: “Everyone here is in a t-shirt that says ‘Mai Bhi Kejriwal’. We oppose the dictatorship of the BJP. They are raiding our people during the elections time. Four of our big leaders are jailed… They have crossed the limits of dictatorship… They are pressurising the AAP… They are trying to make our government fall… We will keep fighting…”

Delhi ministers Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj and several other AAP MLAs are protesting CM Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest at the Delhi Assembly.

“All our MLAs are protesting against the illegal arrest (of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal). Efforts are underway to finish the democracy in this country, and opposition leaders are being jailed,” Atishi tells PTI.

On the special session of the Delhi Assembly today, Delhi minister Gopal Rai tells PTI: “We will discuss the health-related issues. However, this is the first session called following the arrest of CM Arvind Kejriwal. Therefore, the MLAs will also express their anger against that.”

The Delhi HC has warned the legal cell of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over its call for protest at court complexes.

“The right to approach the court is a fundamental right. No one can be stopped, if someone stops the common people, there will be very severe consequences,” the HC warned.

Though the court was initially inclined to issue a notice, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma says that the bench will hear the case after finishing the matters mentioned in the supplementary list.

Case to be heard again after some time.

Senior advocate AM Singhvi, appearing on behalf of CM Kejriwal argues: “This is a delaying tactic. I will request to decide the matter today. There is a weighty matter that challenges the ground of arrest. I’m asking you to give me a few minutes to make my 7/8 points of arrest. I’m challenging the fundamental root of the arrest & remand.”

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) ASG SV Raju has sought time to file a detailed reply to Kejriwal’s plea. He told the court that they got a copy of the petition only yesterday.

The ED is opposing Arvind Kejriwal’s plea challenging his arrest and subsequent remand in the Delhi liquor excise policy case.

The Delhi High Court is hearing a petition filed by jailed Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a money-laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam.

Additional solicitor general (ASG) SV Raju is appearing on behalf of the ED. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appearing for Kejriwal.

AAP Delhi convener Gopal Rai on Wednesday said leaders of the opposition grouping, Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), will join the rally at Ramlila Maidan on March 31 to save democracy, called in the wake of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest.

“From March 28, 2,600 teams will go door-to-door inviting people to come to Ramlila Maidan. At the same time, AAP ministers and MLAs have been made observers, who will go to the assemblies and review preparations for the rally,” he said. More details.

The Delhi High Court will hear a petition by jailed Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal challenging his arrest by the ED in a money-laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam today.

Kejriwal’s plea is listed for hearing before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma at 10.30am.

Security has been tightened outside the Delhi High Court premises, PTI reports.

The high court will hear a petition by Arvind Kejriwal challenging his arrest by the ED in a money-laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam at 10.30 am.

Arvind Kejriwal’s wife, Sunita Kejriwal will issue a statement at noon today, reports ANI.

Last week, she read her jailed husband’s message to AAP workers and the people of Delhi. She also issued a video statement, saying that Arvind Kejriwal will continue to serve the country.

A complaint has been made to the acting Chief Justice of Delhi HC against the call for protest in Delhi Courts by the legal cell of Aam Aadmi Party, reports ANI.

A letter by the lawyer says: “Using court premises as a battleground for political parties is a gross misconduct of professional ethics and in violation of rules of bar council of India and also violation of the directions of the Supreme Court judgements.”

The legal cell of the Aam Aadmi Pary has called for a protest in the Delhi Courts at 12.30 pm today against the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal.

Officials in Delhi’s Tihar Jail are huddled in meetings over the possibility that Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is currently in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the now-scrapped Delhi liquor policy, might land up at India’s largest prison, people aware of developments said on Tuesday.

If Kejriwal’s appeal before the high court and, subsequently, the Supreme Court, is unsuccessful, and he is not granted bail at the hearing today, or his ED custody is extended, the CM might be sent to judicial custody, which raises the possibility of his landing up at Tihar Jail. Know more.

The public services, social welfare schemes and subsidies provided by the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi are not affected by the arrest of chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi government’s secretary of the planning department has said.

“Social welfare schemes are funded with public money through the consolidated fund, backed by budgetary allocations,” the department noted. “Social welfare funds are neither the personal property of any individual or political entity nor funded by an individual or an entity’s personal money.” More details.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s insistence on running the government from jail may eventually lead to the imposition of President’s Rule as an elected chief minister has multifold tasks, all of which cannot be practically performed while in custody, said legal and constitutional experts. Read more.

Several AAP workers were detained by the Delhi police on Tuesday, after they tried to march towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s house to hold the ‘gherao’ protest over Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), meanwhile, also launched a separate protest, demanding Kejriwal’s resignation. At least 57 BJP members, including the party’s Delhi unit chief Virendra Sachdeva, were also detained.

Arvind Kejriwal’s petition, in which he has sought immediate release on account of the arrest and the subsequent remand to the ED being “illegal”, is listed for hearing before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma of the Delhi High Court at 10.30am.

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday will hear a petition by jailed Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money-laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam.