Supreme Court may hear Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's petition against ED arrest on April 15

In a major setback for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the Indian Supreme Court will not hear his plea immediately on Wednesday (Apr 10). The matter may be taken up on Monday (Apr 15), when the apex court opens next.

A day after the Delhi High Court dismissed Kejriwal's petition challenging his arrest in the liquor policy case, the Delhi Chief Minister on Wednesday (Apr 10) approached the Supreme Court.

An urgent hearing

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As per media reports, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader's legal counsel was going to raise the matter before Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, around 10:30 am, seeking an urgent hearing.

On Tuesday (Apr 9) the Delhi High Court dismissed Kejriwal's challenge to his March 21 arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

It said that the central agency was left with "little option" after Kejriwal skipped repeated summons and refused to cooperate with the investigation against him.

The court also chastised the AAP leader for questioning the timing of his arrest just ahead of the general elections and said the investigation against the "classes and masses" cannot be different.

Opposition calls for Kejriwal's resignation

On Tuesday, after the High Court rejected his appeal, BJP opposition leader Bansuri Swaraj called for Kejriwal's resignation. She also alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party used ₹100 crore (around $12.15 million) in party activities.

"With today's judgment, the Delhi high court has made it clear that Arvind Kejriwal had a very important role in the liquor scam and being the chief of AAP he was involved in it," said Bansuri.

"The court saw all the facts. The High Court has also made it clear that his arrest is not illegal at all. I think Arvind Kejriwal should resign on moral grounds," she added.

"Kickbacks worth ₹100 crore were taken in the Excise policy case, which was used by the AAP in its party activities. The court saw all the facts given by ED. The court went through the Hawala transactions. The court saw the statement by the approver," alleged the Bharatiya Janata Party leader.

(With inputs from agencies)