New Delhi: A Delhi court on Thursday reserved its order on the bail plea of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a money laundering case linked to an alleged excise scam.
Special Judge Niyay Bindu reserved the order following arguments from the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which sought to establish Kejriwal’s involvement in the alleged proceeds of crime and with co-accused individuals, and from the defense, which argued lack of substantive evidence against the AAP leader.
During the proceedings, the ED informed the court that on November 7, 2021, Kejriwal stayed at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Goa during the assembly poll campaign, and the expenses were reportedly covered by Chanpreet Singh, who allegedly managed AAP funds in the state.
“Rs 1 lakh was paid in two installments to the hotel, funded from Chanpreet Singh’s bank account. Chanpreet Singh is alleged to have received Rs 45 crore from various ‘Angadiyas’ (couriers),” the ED stated.
The Angadia system, a traditional parallel banking system prevalent in Mumbai and Gujarat’s jewelry sector, facilitates cash transfers between states through trusted couriers.
The ED also highlighted Kejriwal’s alleged repeated disregard of summons for interrogation.
“He demonstrated willful non-compliance with summons. Despite nine summonses, we refrained from arrest,” the ED informed the court.
In defense, Kejriwal’s counsel contended that the case rested primarily on statements from individuals who had confessed guilt, questioning their credibility.
“These individuals are not of impeccable character; some were promised bail or pardon. They are approvers. Moreover, there is no substantive evidence linking Rs 100 crore to the South Group,” the defense argued.
According to the ED and CBI, the South Group constitutes a coalition involving politicians, businessmen, and others lobbying for liquor licenses through alleged bribes to Delhi’s ruling party.
The defense further criticized contradictions in statements from co-accused individuals, suggesting a flawed investigative process prone to manipulation.
The court had earlier granted interim bail to Kejriwal, satisfied that he posed no flight risk or threat to tamper with evidence or witnesses, his counsel reminded.
Opposing bail, the ED stressed that criminal antecedents were not the sole criterion, emphasizing the substantial evidence of money laundering, acknowledged by the court’s cognizance.
“The offense of money laundering is indisputable as per the court’s acknowledgment, unchallenged thus far,” the ED maintained.
The ED also pointed out that while former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was implicated, the AAP as a party was not named as an accused initially.
“Allegations include Kejriwal demanding bribes and kickbacks, including funds for AAP, establishing financial trails including transactions to Goa and hawala dealers,” the ED argued.
Kejriwal serves as the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party.
