New Delhi- Both Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister of Delhi, and Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala, find themselves embroiled in legal controversies as investigations by enforcement agencies cast shadows over their administrations.
Kejriwal faces an uphill battle as he urges the Delhi High Court to order his release from Enforcement Directorate custody in connection with a money-laundering case.
Meanwhile, Vijayan's daughter, Veena Vijayan, and her IT company, Exalogic Solutions, are under scrutiny as the ED files a money laundering case against them over alleged illegal payments from a private mineral firm.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appealed to the Delhi High Court on Wednesday for his prompt release from Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody, contending that his arrest on the eve of elections violated the fundamental principles of the Constitution.
Represented by senior advocate AM Singhvi, Kejriwal argued that his arrest was aimed at disabling him and his party rather than gathering evidence.
Singhvi emphasized that there was no legitimate necessity to arrest Kejriwal under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and criticized the ED's frequent use of "non-cooperation" as grounds for arrest.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma indicated her intention to issue a notice on the petition and grant the ED time to respond. Singhvi urged the court to grant interim relief by ordering Kejriwal's release in the meantime.
Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing the agency, requested three weeks to respond to the petition, emphasizing the need for appropriate time to address the "bulky" petition served just the previous day.
Singhvi contested the request for a response delay, characterizing it as a deliberate tactic. He highlighted that critical issues surrounding the arrest's legality and its implications on democracy and the rule of law necessitated urgent consideration by the court.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener, arrested on March 21 and subsequently remanded to ED custody until March 28, seeks immediate release. The arrest followed the high court's refusal to shield him from coercive action by the federal anti-money laundering agency.
The case revolves around alleged corruption and money laundering linked to the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22, later nullified.
The ED has initiated a money laundering case against Veena Vijayan, daughter of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and her IT company, Exalogic Solutions, over alleged illicit payments received from a private mineral firm. The case, registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), involves other individuals who are expected to be summoned by the agency.
The investigation stems from a complaint lodged by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), triggered by findings from an Income Tax Department probe.
The inquiry revealed that Cochin Minerals And Rutile Ltd (CMRL) purportedly made unauthorized payments totaling Rs 1.72 crore to Veena Vijayan's company between 2018 and 2019, without receiving any corresponding services.
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