HC gives ED final chance to argue plea against Kejriwal’s bail

The Delhi High Court on Monday granted the Enforcement Directorate (ED) a last and final opportunity to present arguments in its plea challenging the trial court’s decision to grant bail to former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the alleged Delhi excise policy money laundering case.

The direction came after the ED once again sought an adjournment, marking the 10th such delay in the matter. Justice Ravinder Dudeja allowed the request but made it clear that the court would not entertain any further deferments. “In the interest of justice, this will be the last and final opportunity for the department to argue its case,” the court observed.

Panel counsel Vivek Gurnani, appearing for the ED, sought the adjournment on behalf of Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, who was occupied before the Supreme Court.

Senior advocate Vikram Chaudhri, representing Kejriwal, opposed the adjournment and pointed out that the agency had already taken nine adjournments without justification. “There has to be some consistency and transparency. This will be the 10th adjournment,” he remarked, adding that the defence team had even prepared a chart listing all previous delays caused by the ED.

The matter will now be heard on November 10. The ED is challenging the trial court’s June 2024 order granting Kejriwal bail in the money laundering case linked to the alleged irregularities in the 2021-22 Delhi Excise Policy.

Trial court judge Niyay Bindu had ordered Kejriwal’s release on a bond of Rs 1 lakh, noting that the ED appeared to be acting with bias against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader. The agency had requested a 48-hour stay on the order, which was denied by the court.

Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21 last year over allegations that he conspired to frame the excise policy in a way that favoured certain liquor traders. The agency claimed that kickbacks from those traders were used to finance the AAP’s campaign in Goa and that Kejriwal, as the party’s national convenor, was personally and vicariously liable for the offence of money laundering.

The AAP chief has consistently denied the allegations, accusing the ED of political vendetta and misuse of power.

Prior to being granted regular bail by the trial court, Kejriwal had been released on interim bail by the Supreme Court in May to campaign during the Lok Sabha elections. He surrendered and returned to jail on June 2 after the expiry of that period.