Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal
A Delhi local court on Thursday reserved its verdict on Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s bail plea in a money laundering case related to the alleged excise scam. Special Judge Nyaya Bindu reserved judgment after hearing the arguments of the accused and the Enforcement Directorate on the petition during the hearing.
Earlier on Wednesday, the court had extended the judicial custody of Chief Minister Kejriwal by 14 days in this case. Aam Aadmi Party convener Kejriwal was produced in court through video conferencing on Wednesday after his judicial custody period ended. After the hearing, Special Judge Bindu extended his judicial custody till July 3.
Demand for wife Sunita’s presence
After hearing the case, Vacation Judge Bindu Nyay of Rouse Avenue Court reserved judgment on Arvind Kejriwal’s regular bail application and other applications. Another petition by Kejriwal has been filed by the court in which he has sought permission from the medical board to allow his wife Sunita Kejriwal to be present and speak through video conferencing during the examination.
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Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the investigative agency Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 in a money laundering case related to an alleged scam in the Delhi Excise Policy. Earlier, during the hearing in the court, the advocate appearing for Kejriwal had opposed the ED’s plea to extend his judicial custody and said there was no basis to extend his custody.
ED opposes Kejriwal’s bail
The special judge also heard all the arguments on the bail plea filed by Kejriwal in the case. The judge also heard arguments on the plea on Thursday. However, during the hearing, the lawyer present in the court on behalf of Kejriwal said that the entire case against Chief Minister Kejriwal is based on statements. The lawyer said, “These statements are from people who believed themselves guilty. He is not a saint. Also, these people are not only stigmatized but it seems that some of them were arrested, bailed and promised amnesty. He also said that there were many contradictions in the statements of several accused.
On the other hand, opposing Kejriwal’s bail plea on Wednesday, the ED said that the Chief Minister had sought a bribe of Rs 100 crore from the South Group for his party. If the Aam Aadmi Party named as an accused in this case commits any crime, the in-charge of the party will be held guilty.
The ED further said that when former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was made an accused in the case, AAP was not named as an accused. Kejriwal asked for bribe. A bribe of Rs 100 crore was demanded from him. He asked for donations for AAP. The Chief Minister demanded bribe from South Group.
