New Delhi: A Delhi court has postponed the hearing of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s regular bail application in a money laundering case related to the alleged excise policy scam to June 14.
Special Judge Kaveri Baweja of the Rouse Avenue Court recently dismissed Kejriwal’s interim bail request, which sought a seven-day bail on medical grounds.
On Friday, Kejriwal’s counsel requested additional time to review the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) response to the bail application, as it was provided only moments before the hearing. The counsel also urged the bench to schedule the matter before a vacation bench, as trial courts will break for vacation starting Saturday. The hearing is now scheduled for June 14.
Previously, while dismissing the interim bail, the court ordered specific diagnostic tests for Kejriwal, who appeared via video conference from Tihar Jail. Judge Baweja had remanded Kejriwal to judicial custody until June 19. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, representing the ED, argued that the bail plea was not maintainable, criticizing Kejriwal’s conduct and citing “misuse” of interim bail for campaigning purposes.
Kejriwal’s defense, led by senior advocate N. Hariharan, argued that the interim bail plea was necessary due to Kejriwal’s aggravated diabetes and other health issues.
The ED maintained that Kejriwal’s medical tests could be conducted in jail, accusing him of attempting to evade surrender. Kejriwal surrendered to Tihar Jail authorities on June 2 after his interim bail, granted by the Supreme Court, ended on June 1 following the general elections.
