Today in Politics: Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad for nomination, Manmohan Singh retires from Rajya Sabha

The Delhi High Court is likely to hear Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s plea on Wednesday seeking immediate release from custody and declaration of his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate as illegal. Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21 in connection with the alleged state excise policy scam.

Last Wednesday, the High Court had rejected the contention of senior advocate A M Singhvi, who appeared for Kejriwal, that reply from the ED was not required. The court said it was duty bound to hear both sides fairly keeping in mind the principles of natural justice and hence the ED’s reply was essential and crucial to decide the present case. It directed the agency to file its reply by Tuesday.

In Context: Kejriwal has been accused of taking kickbacks to the tune of Rs 100 crore from the “southern group” in exchange of “undue favours”. He was arrested after he skipped eight summons of the agency and is currently in judicial custody after his ED custody ended. The agency has arrested Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K Kavitha, and AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Manish Sisodia in connection with the case so far. Singh was granted bail on Tuesday.

Congress leader and sitting MP Rahul Gandhi will kickstart his election campaign with a rally in Wayanad, Kerala, on Wednesday. Sources said he will file his nomination for the seat after the rally.

Kerala Congress president K Sudhakaran and party leaders Ramesh Chennithala, P K Kunhalikutty and Panakkad Sayed Abbas Ali Shihab Thangal will accompany Rahul Gandhi to the Wayanad Collectorate for submitting his nomination.

Rahul is up against LDF candidate and CPI leader Annie Raj, and Kerala BJP chief K Surendran, from the seat.

All 20 Lok Sabha elections in the state go to polls in