The Delhi High Court today refused interim relief to Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, who has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in an excise policy case.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma has given the ED time till Apr 2 to file its reply to Kejriwal’s interim application seeking immediate release from ED custody and even on the main petition, issued notice to the probe agency.

The matter will be heard next on Apr 3.

Kejriwal today argued before the Delhi High Court that the object of his arrest was not to find material but to disable him and his party, and he urged for an immediate release.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo, who was sent to the ED custody till Mar 28, moved the high court against his arrest by the agency and the remand order passed by a trial court in connection with the excise policy case.

Appearing for Kejriwal, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi urged the high court to order his release today since his ED custody ends on Mar 28.

Taking objection to Singhvi’s prayer for an early hearing of the main petition, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for the ED, said that the voluminous petition was served upon them only on Mar 26, and three weeks’ time should be given to bring their stand on record.

For interim relief as well, appropriate time should be given to respond, the ASG said.

Delhi HC to hear plea seeking Kejriwal’s removal as Delhi CM

The Delhi HC will hear a public interest litigation (PIL) on Mar 28 seeking Kejriwal’s removal from office.

A bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan will hear the matter.

The petitioner, Surjit Singh Yadav, a resident of Delhi and self-proclaimed farmer and social worker, has contended that Kejriwal’s arrest by the ED in connection with a liquor policy case renders him unfit to hold a public office.

(Source: IANS)

- Edited for style

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