In a recent hearing, a Delhi court has extended the judicial custody of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal till July 3 in connection with the ongoing investigation into the money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam. His regular bail plea is also being heard before Special Judge Niya Bindu at the Rouse Avenue Court.
Chief Minister Kejriwal, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21, was earlier granted interim bail by the Supreme Court till June 1 to participate in the election campaign, following which he surrendered at Tihar Jail.
Kejriwal, the national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party, has applied for two types of bail before the Rouse Avenue Court: interim bail on medical grounds – which was rejected – and a regular bail, which is currently under consideration.
The ED claims that Kejriwal allegedly played a direct role in the making of the now defunct Delhi excise policy to benefit the “South Group”, which was said to include individuals from southern India. According to the ED, this group was allegedly favoured by directing Rs 100 crore to AAP leaders for the party’s campaign in the 2021-2022 Goa Assembly elections, gaining undue access and stake in wholesale and several retail sectors, beyond what is permitted by policy.
Senior advocate Vikram Choudhary, representing Kejriwal, countered the allegations, saying there was no corroborative evidence to support the claims of Rs 100 crore transactions with South Group. Choudhary criticised the protracted nature of the investigation, calling it oppressive and potentially endless.
