Delhi Excise Policy Case: SC Rescedules Arvind Kejriwal's Plea Hearing, Asks ED to Submit Response by April 24

The Supreme Court on Monday rescheduled the hearing of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's plea challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the excise policy case, pending the central agency’s response. The AAP Chief's petition will be heard during the week starting from April 29. In addition, the apex court instructed the Enforcement Directorate to submit its response by April 24.

A bench comprising of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta issued a notice to the ED in response to Kejriwal's challenge against the Delhi High Court's decision affirming his arrest in the matter. The bench directed the ED to submit its response to the petition by April 24, scheduling the hearing for the week starting April 29.

The Delhi High Court on April 9 had dismissed Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's plea challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the subsequent remand order. The court ruled that Kejriwal's arrest and remand by the ED were not "illegal", dealing a significant blow to the Aam Aadmi Party.

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21 and remanded to the Enforcement Directorate's custody by the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi the following day. Subsequently, on April 1, he was sent to judicial custody until April 15.​