Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Responds to ED's Allegations, Claims "Political Conspiracy"

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday filed his response to the Enforcement Directorate's affidavit in the Supreme Court, denouncing his arrest as a political ploy by the ruling party-led central government to undermine the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Kejriwal stated that his arrest was allegedly orchestrated to hamper his party's political activities and provide an unfair advantage to the ruling party. 

In his rejoinder affidavit, Kejriwal suggested that a political conspiracy was hatched behind his arrest. "During an election cycle when political activity is at its highest, the petitioner's (Kejriwal) illegal arrest has caused grave prejudice to the petitioner's political party and will provide the ruling party at the Centre an unjust upper hand in the ongoing elections," read the affidavit. 

Kejriwal emphasized that the lack of evidence supporting the ED's allegations against him and the AAP, particularly regarding purported kickbacks from the South group utilized in the Goa election campaign. He contends that not a single rupee can be traced back to the AAP, rendering the allegations baseless and lacking tangible evidence. Kejriwal's affidavit read, "Not a single rupee was traced back to the AAP, and the allegations put forth in this regard are devoid of any tangible evidence, rendering them vague, baseless without any corroboration."

In response to the ED's claims that his conduct during the investigation indicated guilt, Kejriwal maintains his innocence and accuses the agency of misinterpreting his actions. Despite his arrest in a money-laundering case linked to Delhi's liquor policy, Kejriwal has yet to receive legal relief, with the Delhi High Court upholding the legality of his arrest, citing no contravention of the law.