Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to remain in jail as HC orders interim stay on bail

The Delhi High Court issued an interim stay on Friday against the trial court’s decision granting bail to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal in connection to the money laundering case linked with the now defunct Delhi excise policy.

Justice Sudhir Kumar Jain issued the order after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) challenged the trial court’s decision in the High Court.

The court said that it would reserve its decision on whether to stay the trial court’s order, with a detailed ruling expected within two to three days. Meanwhile, the trial court’s bail order for Kejriwal will remain stayed.

Also Read: ED moves Delhi HC challenging bail granted to Arvind Kejriwal in liquor scam

“I am reserving the order for two to three days. Till pronouncement of the order, the operation of the trial court order is stayed,” said the judge.

AAP legal cell head Sanjeev Nasiar said the court would give its verdict on the stay order by Monday or Tuesday.

The ED argued that it was not given a fair opportunity to present its case before the trial court, as mandated by Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The trial court had granted bail to Kejriwal on Thursday, citing the lack of direct evidence linking him to the alleged crime and accusing the ED of bias.

Also Read: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal gets bail in excise policy case

Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21 over allegations related to the manipulation of the Delhi Excise Policy to favour certain liquor sellers.

Other AAP leaders, including former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia and Member of Parliament Sanjay Singh, were also arrested in connection with the case.

Supreme Court had previously granted interim bail to Kejriwal for campaigning in Lok Sabha elections, but he returned to jail after the interim period ended. His plea for interim bail on medical grounds was rejected by the trial court on June 5, prompting the ED to approach the High Court.