iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
A Delhi court granted bail to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with a money laundering case related to the alleged excise policy scam on Thursday.
Vacation Judge Niyay Bindu of the Rouse Avenue Court had earlier reserved the order on CM Kejriwal’s bail plea.
Notably, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) requested a 48-hour deferral in signing the bail bond following the court’s pronouncement of the order. The ED aimed to allow sufficient time to challenge the order before the appellate court.
However, the presiding judge firmly denied the ED’s plea for a stay on the order. The trial court directed that the bail bond be presented before the duty judge on Friday.
The judge also considered CM Kejriwal’s application to allow his wife, Sunita Kejriwal, to be present during his medical examination stating that the central agency had no role in CM Kejriwal’s request for treatment inside the jail.
While the court had previously stated it would not reserve the order, it extended CM Kejriwal’s judicial custody in the excise policy case after hearing arguments on his regular bail plea.
“I will not reserve the order. Everyone knows it is a high-profile matter. I will pass the order after hearing it,” Judge Niyay Bindu said as she scheduled the continuation of the hearing for Thursday.
During the bail arguments, senior advocate Vikram Chaudhary, representing CM Kejriwal, contended that the case against him relied on statements from individuals who were allegedly promised bail for supporting the ED’s case. He questioned the credibility of these witnesses, suggesting their statements were made under duress after failing to obtain bail.
Chaudhary also highlighted the timing of CM Kejriwal’s arrest before the Lok Sabha elections, implying it was politically motivated. He argued that there was no material evidence or money trail against CM Kejriwal, describing the investigation as “the biggest instrument of oppression.”
Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, representing the ED, had argued that CM Kejriwal had not been summoned as an accused but was now facing charges after the special court took cognizance of the money laundering offense.
Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, representing the ED, argued that CM Kejriwal had not been summoned as an accused but now faced charges after the special court took cognizance of the money laundering offense. Raju asserted that the credibility of the statements could only be assessed during the trial, not at the bail stage and that inducements given to the approvers were lawful and necessary for obtaining evidence.
He further argued that CM Kejriwal, as the head of the Aam Aadmi Party (APP) had demanded a bribe of ₹100 crore.
