The Delhi high court on Wednesday did not allow any interim relief to Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal who is in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate as the high court only issued notices regarding Kejriwal’s plea and posted the matter for further hearing on April 3. A bench of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma issued a notice to the ED on Arvind Kejriwal’s plea seeking immediate release and declaring his arrest and remand as illegal and asked the agency to reply within April 2.

The high court rejected the contention of senior advocate AM Singhvi who appeared for Kejriwal and argued that no reply from ED was required. The court said it is duty-bound to hear both sides fairly keeping in mind the principles of natural justice and hence ED’s reply is essential and crucial to decide the present case.

Kejriwal arrest news: Follow LIVE updates

“Thus, having regard to the nature of issues raised in this petition, this Court is of the opinion that the respondent has to be granted an opportunity to file a reply, as an opportunity for effective representation, and declining this opportunity would amount to denial of fair hearing as well as violation of one of the principles of natural justice i.e., audi- alteram partem, which is applicable to both the parties and not one,” the court said. 

Meanwhile, the ED is likely to produce Kejriwal in a court on Thursday as his present remand will conclude tomorrow. The ED arrested Kejriwal last Thursday in connection with the Delhi liquor probe and sought a six-day custody starting from March 22. ED may seek an extension of Kejriwal’s custodial remand or seek court directions for sending him into judicial custody.

Kejriwal’s health concern

According to officials, Kejriwal, who is a diabetic patient, has been experiencing fluctuating sugar levels. His sugar level went as low as 46, sources said without disclosing when it was measured.