Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal moves court seeking regular bail

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has filed two pleas before a Delhi court seeking bail in the money laundering case connected to the Delhi excise policy.

One plea seeks regular bail in the money laundering case initiated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in relation to the Delhi excise policy scam. The second plea seeks interim bail for seven days on medical grounds.

Both bail applications are expected to be heard today by the Rouse Avenue court at 2 pm.

This is the first instance of Kejriwal seeking bail in this case. He had earlier sought the quashing of his arrest and remand, which is still pending before the Supreme Court.

Also Read: SC registry refuses Kejriwal’s plea for urgent hearing on interim bail extension

Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21, accused of being part of a conspiracy to create loopholes in the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy for 2021-22, benefiting certain liquor sellers.

Allegedly, kickbacks from liquor sellers were used to fund the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) electoral campaign in Goa.

Other AAP leaders arrested in the same case include former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Member of Parliament Sanjay Singh (currently out on bail).

Kejriwal remained in jail until May 10, when the Supreme Court granted him interim bail to campaign for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. This interim order was based on a plea challenging his arrest and remand by the ED. The top court has yet to pronounce a final verdict on the main plea.

A plea seeking a week’s extension of interim bail on medical grounds was later moved by Kejriwal before the Supreme Court. Recently, the Supreme Court registrar declined to list the matter, which is yet to be heard.

Meanwhile, Kejriwal has accused the ED of running an extortion racket. The ED recently named the AAP as an accused in the money laundering case.   (With inputs from PTI)