Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal
On Thursday, Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Chief Minister was granted bail by a court in connection with his corruption trial over allegations related to excise policy changes that eventually were revoked by city hall.
Niyay Bindu made her decision after hearing arguments from both sides: the Enforcement Directorate seeking to link Kejriwal with proceeds of crime and those charged in his case; and his defense team’s arguing there wasn’t sufficient evidence against their client.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Court rejects Enforcement Directorate’s request to stay the order
A Delhi court has ruled that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) cannot question an accused in an alleged money-laundering case late into the night, ruling on a petition from Ram Kotumal Issrani who had been held at police station for over 24 hours while answering questions that came at times when he was sleeping. This decision followed allegations from central probe agency that questions had been asked when Ram was unconscious.
On Friday, the court also ordered the ED to produce the bail bond before them. While they pleaded with the judge to stay the order, but this request was denied; likely going forward they plan on appealing it to Delhi High Court against this order. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal
Before, the court reserved its order after hearing arguments from both the ED and Kejriwal’s defence team. The ED claimed it had evidence showing the Delhi CM demanded Rs 100 crore as kickbacks and used proceeds of crime from AAP’s election campaign in Goa to finance them; Vinod Chauhan was accused of being involved with providing these illegal funds directly to Kejriwal through transfers made directly by him and was in direct communication with him. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal
AAP Chief’s defense argued that he has never engaged in any illegal activities and does not fall under PMLA offenses. They asserted that ED was using his political status against him. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Court asks for production of bail bond
On Friday, the Delhi Chief Minister will have to produce a bail bond of Rs 1 lakh before being released from Tihar Jail. The court denied ED’s request to postpone this order for 48 hours in order to file an appeal with the High Court.
The Enforcement Directorate alleges that Kejriwal participated in a conspiracy to exploit loopholes in the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 for liquor sellers’ benefit and used kickbacks to fund his electoral campaign in Goa. As such, they believe he is both personally and vicariously liable for this offence. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal
Kejriwal’s lawyers asserted that the evidence provided by ED was manufactured and cast doubt upon its reliability, alleging the agency is trying to discredit AAP by arresting one of their leaders. Additionally, they stated the ED had not followed proper procedures when framing its case against him. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal
Harbhajan Singh ETO, an AAP leader, celebrated the granting of bail to Aam Aadmi Party Chief as a tremendous win for democracy. According to him, it sent out a message that those opposed to democracy are now no longer powerful forces and that people’s faith in their judiciary has been restored; also that “today the Constitution has won, not ED.” ED’s counsel Zoheb Hossain requested that this order be postponed for 48 hours so he may challenge it against in High Court ED requested this delay to allow time for him to file his challenge of course of action before reaching High Court level he requested that this order should be extended further; Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Court asks for submission of documents
On Friday, Kejriwal’s counsel was ordered by the court to produce a bail bond before the duty judge on Friday, giving former Delhi Chief Minister and Leader of India’s Aam Aadmi Party (Common Man’s Party), Arvind Kejriwal an opportunity to fight his bribery case, filed against him in March over implementation of Delhi’s now defunct excise policy. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal
On Thursday’s hearing, ASG SV Raju presented evidence against Kejriwal and claimed that the central agency possessed solid proof of his involvement with a scam involving currency notes used as kickbacks, along with those related to Kejriwal’s stay at a seven-star hotel in Goa. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal
Kejriwal established the Aam Aadmi Party in 2012 with an intention of cleaning up both political life and governance from corruption and inefficiency. The party quickly found favor among New Delhi residents fed up with such issues as inefficient infrastructure. Its symbol – a broom – quickly resonated with New Delhiers.
In May, the Supreme Court granted Kejriwal interim bail until June 1 to campaign for Lok Sabha elections; however, on June 2, after its expiry, he returned to Tihar Jail. Kejriwal remains India’s sole politician to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party at national elections.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Court grants bail
On Thursday, Rouse Avenue Court granted Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal bail in his money laundering case related to an alleged Delhi excise policy scam. The court requested his counsel file a bail bond of Rs one lakh within two days as part of his release conditions.
The court also denied the ED’s application to stay the order, as there was insufficient basis to challenge it. Furthermore, bail for Kejriwal would serve both public interest and would not impede fair trial proceedings.
At the hearing, Senior Advocate Vikram Chaudhari representing Kejriwal asserted that the ED had no concrete evidence tying his client to the case, instead using statements by “tainted persons”. Additionally, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju countered by asserting that substantial evidence existed against Kejriwal such as photos of currency notes and hotel bills paid by Chanpreet Singh; such evidence included photographs. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal
AAP leaders were thrilled by the court’s ruling. Atishi, a Delhi minister and AAP leader, described it as the victory of truth, while senior leader Raghav Chadha congratulated all judges involved. Workers also celebrated by setting off firecrackers near Kejriwal’s residence.
