New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has appealed to the Supreme Court regarding the Delhi High Court’s interim stay on a trial court’s decision to grant him bail in connection with a money-laundering case linked to the alleged excise scam.
On Friday, the High Court temporarily halted the release of the embattled Chief Minister, following the trial court’s bail approval on June 20.
Arvind Kejriwal, the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21. He could have been released from Tihar Jail on Friday had the High Court not granted interim relief to the federal anti-money laundering agency.
“Until the pronouncement of this order, the operation of the impugned order shall remain stayed,” stated a vacation bench of the High Court, directing the parties to submit written arguments by June 24.
The High Court indicated that it would reserve its order for two to three days to thoroughly review the case records.
Additionally, the court issued a notice to Kejriwal, requesting his response to the ED’s appeal challenging the trial court’s June 20 decision to grant him bail. The court has scheduled the plea hearing for July 10.
In its bail order, the trial court stated that, prima facie, Kejriwal’s guilt had not been established and that the ED had failed to provide direct evidence linking him to the proceeds of the alleged money-laundering activities.
The excise policy was abolished in 2022 after the Delhi lieutenant governor ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged irregularities and corruption concerning its formulation and implementation.
According to the ED and the CBI, irregularities were committed during the modification of the policy, and undue favors were extended to license holders.
