Today,19th April, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal granted additional time by the court to submit his response to the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) reply. The extension allows Kejriwal to prepare a detailed and comprehensive reply to the ED’s assertions. This development comes amidst ongoing legal proceedings related to the matter. Kejriwal’s response will play a crucial role in shaping the course of the investigation.
New Delhi: On Friday, the Rouse Avenue court extended the deadline for Arvind Kejriwal‘s legal team to submit a rejoinder to the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) reply. A senior advocate representing Kejriwal mentioned that they were unable to proceed due to his arrest by the ED. The ED previously responded to Kejriwal’s request for additional documents filed with the Complaint, to which Kejriwal’s legal team is now preparing a response.
ACMM Divya Malhotra, following arguments from senior advocate Ramesh Gupta and ASG S V Raju, allowed an extension to file a rejoinder and scheduled the next hearing for May 4. Representing Kejriwal, Senior Advocate Ramesh Gupta mentioned their inability to seek instructions due to Arvind Kejriwal‘s arrest.
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Gupta highlighted Kejriwal’s extensive legal engagements across the country, citing difficulties in obtaining legal consultations due to ED’s interference. Gupta further emphasized that the ED seems focused solely on opposing Kejriwal’s applications.
ASG S V Raju, appearing via video conferencing, indicated that two legal interviews allowed according to the jail manual.
Raju also mentioned,
“You can request additional time.”
Senior advocate Ramesh Gupta questioned how they could submit a reply if they denied a legal interview with Kejriwal, even if given an extension. He remarked,
“You don’t allow him to have food, don’t allow him to go to the toilet. ED so much after Kejriwal.”
Following the arguments, the Court scheduled the filing of a rejoinder for May 4.
On March 16, Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi’s Chief Minister, granted bail by the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate of the Rouse Avenue Court in two complaints filed by the ED for not complying with summons. Kejriwal personally attended the hearing.
ACMM Divya Malhotra granted bail, citing the bailable nature of the section, and instructed a Rs 15,000 bond for each complaint. ASG S V Raju, along with Zoheb Hossain and Simon Benjamin, represented the ED, while Senior Advocate Ramesh Gupta, with Advocate Rajiv Mohan, Mohd Irshad, Mudit Jain, and Samprikta Ghosal, appeared for Kejriwal.
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The Delhi CM challenged ED’s summons regarding the Delhi liquor policy money laundering case in the Sessions Court on March 14, arguing that there was no intentional disobedience on his part.
The ACMM took cognizance of the second ED complaint and summoned Kejriwal for a physical appearance on March 16, 2024. The ED filed a second complaint against Kejriwal under relevant sections for non-compliance with PMLA.
Earlier, the ED filed a complaint against him for the same issue, leading to virtual court appearances. Kejriwal cited prior commitments for his inability to attend physically. In the initial complaint, the Rouse Avenue Court accepted ED’s allegations regarding non-compliance with summons related to the Delhi liquor policy money laundering case.
The ED’s investigation aimed to gather information about the policy’s formulation and alleged misuse of funds during election campaigns.