Arvind Kejriwal (archive photo)
Leader Online Desk: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is under arrest in a money laundering case related to the alleged liquor policy case in Delhi, was granted bail by the Rouse Avenue court on Thursday. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) moved the Delhi High Court today (21st) against this order. His bail has been postponed till the completion of the hearing in the High Court in this case.
High Court agrees to immediate hearing
The Delhi High Court had agreed to accept the ED's plea seeking urgent hearing of the appeal challenging the trial court's order granting bail to Kejriwal. A vacation bench of Justices Sudhir Kumar Jain and Ravinder Dudeja explained, “The bail granted by the Rouse Avenue court was stayed. No proceedings shall commence before the trial court (Rouse Avenue) until the Delhi High Court hears the matter.”
While hearing Kejriwal's bail application, Rouse Avenue Court Judge Nia Bindu reserved the decision on Thursday (20th) afternoon. However, the court granted bail to Kejriwal in the evening. The ED had sought 48 hours to file an appeal against Kejriwal's bail in the High Court. However, the court rejected the ED's demand and granted bail to Kejriwal.
Arvind Kejriwal will not try to obstruct the investigation or influence the witnesses. The court has imposed conditions before granting bail to Kejriwal that he will appear before the court whenever necessary and cooperate with the investigation.
Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with money laundering related to the alleged liquor policy case in Delhi. He had approached the High Court and the Supreme Court against the arrest process. On May 10, the Supreme Court had granted interim bail to Kejriwal till June 1 to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections. It was also clarified that they will have to surrender on June 2. Later, on June 5, the Additional Sessions Court rejected his interim bail. Finally, on Thursday evening, Rouse Avenue Court Judge Nia Bindu granted bail to him on Thursday (20th) afternoon.
