[BREAKING] Arvind Kejriwal Granted Bail By Delhi Court

A Delhi court Today (June 20th) granted bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was arrested in March in the money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy of 2021-22.

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[BREAKING] Arvind Kejriwal Granted Bail by Delhi Court

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court granted bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Today, who was arrested in March in connection with the money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy for 2021-22.

Vacation Judge Niyay Bindu passed the order after two days of hearings involving Kejriwal and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Earlier in the day, Judge Bindu had reserved orders in the matter, which were pronounced in the evening. Following the order, the ED requested a 48-hour window to sign the bail bond, intending to challenge the order before the appellate court. However, the judge refused to stay the order. The bail bond is to be produced before the duty judge tomorrow, the trial court added.

Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21 on allegations of being part of a conspiracy to intentionally leave loopholes in the Delhi Excise Policy for 2021-22 to benefit certain liquor sellers. The ED alleged that kickbacks received from liquor sellers were used to fund the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) electoral campaign in Goa, holding Kejriwal, as the National Convenor of the party, both personally and vicariously liable for money laundering.

Kejriwal has denied these allegations and has accused the ED of running an extortion racket. Other AAP leaders arrested in the same case include former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia, and Member of Parliament Sanjay Singh. While Singh is currently out on bail, Sisodia remains in jail.

The Supreme Court granted interim bail to Kejriwal in May, allowing him to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections. He returned to jail on June 2 after the interim bail period granted by the top court ended. He had also filed an application seeking interim bail for seven days on medical grounds, which was rejected by the trial court on June 5.

During today’s hearing, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, appearing for the ED, opposed Kejriwal’s bail plea and his claim that there was no money trail or proof to back up the central agency’s allegations in the excise policy case.

“It is not as if ED is doing the investigation in the air. We have concrete evidence,”

-Raju asserted, adding that the ED has photos of currency notes which were part of the kickbacks.

The ASG further highlighted Kejriwal’s stay at a seven-star hotel in Goa, arguing that the hotel stay was paid for using kickback money. He also argued that an adverse inference could be drawn against Kejriwal since he was being secretive about his mobile phone.

“Adverse inference has to be drawn because Kejriwal has refused to give his password. A lot of skeletons will come out if he gives his phone,” Raju said.

ASG Raju emphasized that Kejriwal was liable to be prosecuted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) even if he was not personally involved in any offence.

“You may not have committed the offence but you are responsible for the affairs of the AAP and if AAP is guilty of an offence then you are guilty of the offence as well. This is as per Section 70 PMLA. Everyone knows there is one person responsible for the affairs of the AAP and that is Arvind Kejriwal,” Raju stated.

Kejriwal’s defense was led by Senior Advocate Vikram Chaudhary, who reiterated that the ED’s allegations lacked proof.

“Is ED an independent agency or playing in the hands of some political masters? … The ED draws all its conclusions based on hypothesis … If they are still collecting the material, then it is an unending investigation. They say I am national convenor of AAP and that’s why I am responsible for everything done by the party. There is nothing to show that Rs 45 crore were ever received by AAP. This is all in the realm of speculation, prejudices and beliefs. They are still arresting and evaluating but keep on making a statement that ₹100 crore bribe was received,” Chaudhary argued.

He further submitted that Kejriwal should be extended the same liberties as any other person, emphasizing the need for fairness and equality in the legal process.

The court’s decision to grant bail marks a significant development in the ongoing case, highlighting the contentious nature of the allegations and the legal battles faced by Kejriwal and other AAP leaders.