Arvind Kejriwal seen struggling with the Bail; now reaches SC

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has approached the Supreme Court to challenge the Delhi High Court’s stay on his bail order in a money laundering case connected to the alleged liquor policy scam

This move follows the High Court’s interim stay on a trial court’s decision to grant Kejriwal bail. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had contested the trial court’s June 20 bail order, leading the High Court to issue a notice to Kejriwal, seeking his response. On June 21, the Delhi High Court not only granted the interim stay but also scheduled a hearing on July 10 to examine the case further. The High Court’s vacation bench directed both parties to submit written arguments by June 24, stating, “Till the pronouncement of this order, the operation of the impugned order shall remain stayed.” This stay allows the High Court time to thoroughly review the case records before making a final decision.

The trial court had initially granted bail to Kejriwal, noting that there was no direct evidence linking him to the proceeds of crime and that his guilt had yet to be established. This decision was based on the ED’s inability to provide substantial proof in the money laundering case related to the alleged irregularities and corruption in the formulation and execution of the excise policy, which was later scrapped in 2022. Kejriwal’s lawyers have requested an urgent Supreme Court hearing on June 24, as reported by PTI. The controversy stems from accusations by the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) that modifications to the excise policy included irregularities and undue favors to license holders, prompting a probe initiated by the Delhi lieutenant governor.