The Delhi High Court has issued a notice in response to a plea by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking the removal of negative remarks made by a trial court against it. The trial court had acquitted all accused, including AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, in the excise policy case. The High Court directed the AAP leaders and others to respond to the ED’s petition and indicated that the matter would be heard along with the CBI’s plea challenging the discharge order.
The ED, represented by Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, argued that the trial court’s comments were unwarranted as the case pertained to the CBI and not money laundering. The ED contended that it was criticized without being given a chance to present its side. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma assured that the matter would be thoroughly reviewed and questioned the necessity of such remarks.
The ED has requested the removal of specific paragraphs from the trial court’s order, stating that these remarks were irrelevant to the case and prejudiced their ongoing investigations. The agency claimed that the comments violated principles of natural justice as they were made without hearing the ED. The High Court will further examine the issue after considering all arguments from both sides.
