AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal. | Photo Credit: PTI
The Delhi High Court on Friday (January 17, 2025) set March 21 to hear the enforcement directorate’s plea against the bail granted to former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy-linked money laundering case.
Justice Vikas Mahajan adjourned Friday’s hearing on the request of the enforcement directorate’s (ED) counsel.
Also Read | MHA grants ED sanction to prosecute Arvind Kejriwal in excise policy case
The senior counsel representing Mr. Kejriwal opposed the request for adjournment saying ED repeatedly took dates in the past several months.
He urged the court to hear the matter and grant bail to Mr. Kejriwal saying other accused were granted bail in the money laundering case.
“There is an impending election. Why should this sword be hanging over him? If bail is well given to all 15 accused, why should it be kept pending for him?” asked Mr. Kejriwal’s counsel.
The ED counsel said no prejudice was caused to Mr. Kejriwal on account of the adjournments as he was already on interim bail granted by the Supreme Court in the matter.
“I will set it down for hearing.. No prejudice is caused to him. List for hearing on March 21,” said Justice Mahajan.
On July 12, 2024, the top court granted interim bail to Mr. Kejriwal in the money laundering case while referring to a larger Bench three questions on the aspect of “need and necessity of arrest” under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
On June 20 last year, Mr. Kejriwal was granted bail by a trial court on a personal bond of ₹1 lakh, which was subsequently stayed by the high court on ED’s plea.
The former CM was arrested by the ED and the CBI on March 21 and June 26, 2024, in the money laundering and corruption cases, respectively.
Also Read | Excise policy case: Arvind Kejriwal was party to ‘criminal conspiracy’, says CBI
The excise policy 2021 was scrapped in 2022 after the Delhi Lieutenant Governor ordered a CBI probe into alleged irregularities and corruption involving its formulation and execution.
According to the CBI and the ED, irregularities were committed while modifying the excise policy and undue favours extended to licence holders.
Published – January 17, 2025 03:10 pm IST
