court-reserves-order-on-kejriwal-s-bail-in-ed-case

The Rouse Avenue Court has reserved its order on the Enforcement Directorate’s Supplementary chargesheet against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in connection with a money laundering case related to the Excise Policy case.

 

The order on the cognizance point is scheduled for June 4, 2024. During submissions, the ED emphasised the link between AAP and Arvind Kejriwal, describing AAP as a political party and Kejriwal as a key figure in Delhi's affairs.

 

The ED stated that Kejriwal was actively involved in the process of crime, including its use for AAP's campaign. It was highlighted that Kejriwal received direct messages from co-accused Vinod Chauhan, indicating a close relationship between them.

 

On May 17, 2024, the Enforcement Directorate officials, along with Special Public Prosecutor Naveen Kumar Matta, filed the chargesheet in the Rouse Avenue Court.

 

Earlier, on May 10, the Supreme Court granted Kejriwal interim bail till June 1 in the money laundering case but ordered him not to visit the Office of the Chief Minister and the Delhi Secretariat, with a surrender date set for June 2.

 

Kejriwal's appeal against a Delhi High Court judgement, which dismissed his plea against arrest by the ED and his subsequent remand in the excise policy case, was being heard by the apex court.

 

Kejriwal argued that his arrest after the announcement of the General Elections was motivated by extraneous considerations. The High Court had dismissed his plea for release from jail on April 9, citing his non-cooperation with the ED's summons as undermining any claims of special privilege as Chief Minister.

 

Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21 in connection with a money laundering probe related to alleged irregularities in the now-cancelled Delhi excise policy 2021-22.