Delhi Court Grants Bail to CM Kejriwal in Money Laundering Case
On Thursday, a Delhi court extended bail to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a money laundering case associated with the revoked liquor policy. Judge Nyay Bindu of Rouse Avenue Court passed the order after reserving it earlier that day.
ED's Request Denied
Following the court's ruling, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) requested a 48-hour stay to pursue legal options. However, the judge declined their plea. The ED has resolved to appeal the bail order before the Delhi High Court.
AAP Rejoices
The AAP leader will be released from Tihar Jail on Friday after submitting a bail bond of Rs. 1 lakh. The AAP's supporters expressed their joy by setting off firecrackers outside the Delhi Chief Minister's residence. AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh hailed the verdict, stating that Kejriwal's release would bolster democracy.
Sanjay Singh and Manish Sisodia
Kejriwal is the second AAP leader to receive bail in this case, following Sanjay Singh. However, former Delhi minister Manish Sisodia remains incarcerated in Tihar Jail.
Kejriwal's Arrest and Release
The ED apprehended Kejriwal on March 21 amidst dramatic circumstances on the cusp of the Lok Sabha polls. In May, he was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court in light of the general elections, but he surrendered on June 2.
ED's and Team Kejriwal's Arguments
During the hearing, the ED asserted that it possessed evidence indicating Kejriwal's demand for Rs. 100 crore in kickbacks under the liquor policy. The ED further alleged that kickbacks received from liquor vendors were utilized to fund the AAP's electoral campaign in Goa.
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S.V. Raju presented a direct money trail of criminal proceeds being remitted from the South Group, जिसमें BRS leader K. Kavitha शामिल थीं, to the AAP.
ASG Raju also claimed that Kejriwal refused to provide the password to his phone during the investigation.
Kejriwal claims his phone is sacrosanct and refuses to provide the password. We had to rely on the phone of Vinod Chauhan, an accused in the case, who remains silent. An adverse inference must be drawn from Kejriwal's refusal, which constitutes grounds for denying bail under ordinary law, let alone section 45 PMLA, ASG Raju argued.
The ASG further alleged that Vinod Chauhan was responsible for managing transfers and postings of Delhi government officials.
Kejriwal's Defense
Kejriwal's defense, led by senior advocate Vikram Chaudhary, maintained that the ED's allegations lacked concrete evidence and refuted their claims. They also emphasized that the AAP supremo was not named in any charge sheet filed under PMLA.
Is the ED an independent agency, or is it a pawn of political masters? The ED's conclusions are based solely on hypotheses, Chaudhary stated.
They claim I am the national convenor of AAP and, therefore, I am accountable for all party actions. There is no evidence to support the claim that AAP received Rs. 45 crores. These are mere speculations, biases, and assumptions. They continue to arrest and investigate while repeatedly asserting that a Rs. 100 crore bribe was received, Chaudhary added.
Conclusion
The Delhi High Court will hear the ED's challenge to the bail order, and the AAP supremo is expected to be released from Tihar Jail on Friday. The outcome of the case will be closely watched, as it has significant implications for Kejriwal's political career and the ongoing investigation into the liquor policy case.
