In a dramatic turn of events, the legal team representing Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal sought an urgent hearing in the Supreme Court, only to be met with a delay. The Chief Minister's lawyers had reached out to the Supreme Court registry for an immediate hearing, but were instructed to wait. Subsequently, the message was forwarded to the team of Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, who conveyed that the hearing "cannot take place tonight".
In response to the delay, Arvind Kejriwal's legal counsel opted against pursuing a late-night hearing. However, the matter is set to be mentioned before the Supreme Court on Friday, the last working day before the court's recess for Holi festivities.
The urgency in seeking legal intervention follows Kejriwal's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate. Following the high court's order, a 10-member team from the agency, led by an additional director, conducted searches at Kejriwal's official residence on Flagstaff Road in Civil Lines, Delhi. Kejriwal was taken into custody over two hours after the team's arrival, during which he was briefly questioned. According to reports, some seizures were made during the operation.
In a surprising development, Arvind Kejriwal has opted to represent himself in the Supreme Court as a lawyer, underscoring the high-stakes nature of the legal battle ahead.