The Delhi High Court on Friday scheduled March 21 for the hearing of the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) plea challenging the bail granted to former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy-linked money laundering case.
Justice Vikas Mahajan deferred Friday’s proceedings following a request from the ED’s counsel. Kejriwal’s senior counsel opposed the adjournment, arguing that the ED had repeatedly sought delays over the past several months.
He urged the court to proceed with the matter and uphold Kejriwal’s bail, noting that other accused in the money laundering case had already been granted bail.
“There is an upcoming election. Why should this uncertainty persist? If bail has been granted to all 15 accused, why should his case remain pending?” Kejriwal’s counsel argued.
The ED’s counsel, however, maintained that no harm was caused to Kejriwal due to the adjournments, as he is already on interim bail granted by the Supreme Court. “No prejudice is caused to him. The matter is now listed for hearing on March 21,” said Justice Mahajan.
On July 12, 2024, the Supreme Court granted interim bail to Kejriwal while referring broader questions regarding the “need and necessity of arrest” under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to a larger bench.
Previously, a trial court had granted bail to Kejriwal on June 20, 2024, on a personal bond of ₹1 lakh. However, the high court stayed this order following the ED’s appeal.
Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21, 2024, and by the CBI on June 26, 2024, in connection with the money laundering and corruption cases.
The excise policy, introduced in 2021 and scrapped in 2022, came under scrutiny following allegations of irregularities and undue favors to license holders during its formulation and execution. Investigations by the CBI and ED are ongoing.
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