Arvind Kejriwal (File image)
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New Delhi: In a setback for Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi High Court on Friday stayed trial court’s order on granting bail to the Delhi Chief Minister in a money laundering case linked to the alleged liquor excise policy scam. The High Court reserved its verdict for two to three days on the plea filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) challenging the Rouse Avenue court’s order. The HC bench comprising Justices Sudhir Kumar Jain and Ravinder Dudeja halted the bail order till it pronounced its verdict in the case.
“Order Reserved. Till pronouncement, the operation of the impugned order shall remain stayed,” the HC bench said.
Meanwhile, Kejriwal’s counsel urged the High Court to allow the Delhi CM to come out of the jail until the order is reserved. However, the bench turned down the request. ” I want to go through the entire material,” the bench stated.
ASG SV Raju said, “Kejriwal’s bail order has been stayed and the final order will come in 2-4 days and hearing on cancellation of bail plea will happen later and notice has been issued in this regard…”
Kejriwal is currently lodged in Tihar Jail.
Earlier in the day, the ED challenged Rouse Avenue court’s order on granting bail to Kejriwal in a money laundering case related to the alleged liquor excise policy scam The HC halted Kejriwal’s release after the federal agency filed the petition. On June 20, the trial court granted bail to Kejriwal. The Special Judge (Vacation Judge) said that the ED had failed to give any direct evidence against the applicant in respect of the proceeds of the crime.
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, representing the ED argued that the trial court’s judgment to grant regular bail to the Delhi CM ‘is completely flawed’. Raju said that the trial court gave a wrong statement that there was no direct proof regarding the proceeds of the crime.
“The trial court’s order is completely flawed. The court said there was no direct proof. That’s a wrong statement by the court,” the ASG said.
Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21 in connection with a money laundering case relating to alleged irregularities in the now-cancelled Delhi excise policy 2021-22.
The Delhi Chief Minister was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court on May 10 in view of Lok Sabha polls and was told to surrender on June 2. He was asked not to visit the Office of the Chief Minister and the Delhi Secretariat.
