Today(on 20th June), Delhi court reserves order on CM Arvind Kejriwal’s bail plea in ED’s money laundering case tied to scrapped excise policy, citing a claimed direct money trail from South Group to AAP.
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DELHI: Today(on 20th June), A Delhi court reserved its order on Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s plea seeking bail in the money laundering case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). This case is in connection with the alleged irregularities in the now-scrapped excise policy.
The Enforcement Directorate claimed a complete and direct money trail of proceeds from the South Group to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). This assertion was made on Thursday while opposing Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal‘s bail application in a money laundering case linked to the liquor policy case.
In court, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, representing the Enforcement Directorate, emphasized that the probe agency was not conducting an arbitrary investigation and that there was substantial evidence in the case.
“There exist documents that demonstrate the payments.”
– the ASG stated, referencing documents concerning certain transactions.
The ASG also referred to a previous order denying bail to Chanpreet Singh, who was arrested in April this year. Singh allegedly “managed” AAP’s funds for the Goa assembly elections.
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“Chanpreet Singh received substantial cash sums from entrepreneurs, which he used to settle bills for Arvind Kejriwal’s hotel expenses. He was overseeing the Goa elections and managing the campaign, hence the receipt of cash.”
– he informed the court.
Highlighting the Enforcement Directorate’s findings, the ASG presented a screenshot of a currency note and commented-
“The Enforcement Directorate’s investigation is based on concrete evidence, not speculation.”
Further, the ASG noted-
“Chanpreet maintains regular contact with Vinod Chauhan (another accused in the liquor policy case) through WhatsApp. We have confirmed that cash transactions have occurred.”
He continued-
“Now we are establishing a connection that Arvind Kejriwal had a close association with Vinod Chauhan. What does a Chief Minister have to do with someone who actually transferred cash for Goa elections? This demonstrates the connection.”
The matter was heard for two days by Rouse Avenue Court judge Niyay Bindu before she reserved orders on Thursday. Earlier, the judge had expressed a desire not to keep the matter pending indefinitely and urged all counsel to be concise in their arguments.
Opposing the Delhi Chief Minister’s bail application, ASG SV Raju contended that the ED had documentary evidence to prove that part of the proceeds of crime was used for Arvind Kejriwal’s hotel stay in Goa during the assembly elections. He added that the agency also had evidence in the form of telephone calls and call data records (CDR) showing that co-accused Chanpreet Singh, who managed AAP’s funds for the Goa elections, received Rs.45 crore from different Angadiyas in cash and made the payment for Kejriwal’s hotel stay from his account.
The law officer asserted that the token numbers recovered from these Angadiyas had direct contact with Arvind Kejriwal.
“The ED’s investigation is based on solid evidence, not conjecture.”
– Raju reiterated.
Raju further argued that Kejriwal had “good relations” with co-accused Vinod Chauhan, who allegedly transferred the cash bribe from the “South Group” to AAP during the Goa polls campaign.
“Why would the CM be in contact with an Angadiya owner who handles cash transfers? Arvind Kejriwal is seen chatting with Vinod Chauhan.”
-Raju remarked.
He added that the CM is “directly responsible” for the affairs of AAP and thus vicariously liable for the money laundering offence committed through the party.
Regarding the timing of the arrest, Raju clarified that the ED did not act in “hot haste” and arrested Kejriwal only after the Delhi High Court denied him relief from coercive action, considering “detailed records.”
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“The division bench found the material to be sufficient.”
– Raju emphasized, noting that the agency did not arrest Kejriwal despite his non-compliance with nine summons.