The Delhi High Court has stayed the trial court’s order granting bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam. The court announced it would pass an order on the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) plea within two to three days.
The ED challenged the June 20, 2024 order of the Rouse Avenue court that had granted bail to Kejriwal. The agency argues that the trial court’s decision was made without providing adequate opportunity for the ED to be heard and without considering the mandatory twin conditions under Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The trial court’s bail order had stated that the ED failed to provide direct evidence against Kejriwal regarding the proceeds of crime. However, the ED contends that courts up to the Supreme Court have acknowledged the occurrence of money laundering in this case.
Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21 in connection with alleged irregularities in the now-cancelled Delhi excise policy 2021-22. He was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court on May 10 due to the Lok Sabha polls, with instructions to surrender on June 2. During this period, he was barred from visiting the Chief Minister’s Office and the Delhi Secretariat.
Previously, the Delhi High Court had dismissed Kejriwal’s plea for release from jail, rejecting his argument of political vendetta amid the Lok Sabha elections.
(Inputs from ANI)