Delhi excise policy case : ED files response on Arvind Kejriwal's regular bail plea, says ample evidence against him
Delhi excise policy case : The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Friday filed its response on Arvind Kejriwal's regular bail plea and said the applicant (Kejriwal) is involved in the commission of grave economic offences.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) stated that there is substantial evidence linking the applicant to the money laundering offence, and granting bail would impede further investigation into the intricate multi-layered conspiracy.
The ED's response was filed in a money laundering case connected to an Excise case, wherein accused Vinod Chauhan allegedly facilitated the transfer of Rs 25.5 crore from Delhi to Goa, funds received from Abhishek Boinpally, a representative of the South Group, involved in cash transfers as part of a quid pro quo arrangement.
Examination of Vinod Chauhan's digital device uncovered chats indicating a close association between him and Arvind Kejriwal.
Vinod Chauhan's proximity is also visible from the fact that he was managing postings for officers in the Delhi Jal Board through Arvind Kejriwal. The same is evident from a chat and a screenshot of an official note from the Delhi Government which approved such a posting, the ED said.
Additional Solicitor General SV Raju and Special Counsel Zoheb Hossain represented the Directorate of Enforcement, while Senior Advocate N Hariharan and Advocate Vivek Jain appeared for Arvind Kejriwal in a bail hearing.
The court postponed arguments to June 14, noting that the ED served the reply to Kejriwal's lawyer at 1 pm. Earlier, the court dismissed Kejriwal's interim bail plea in the Excise Policy money laundering case, directing medical tests and extending judicial custody until June 19, with Kejriwal attending virtually. In line with Supreme Court directions, Kejriwal surrendered to Tihar Jail on June 2, following the court's reservation of an order on his bail plea on June 1.
He filed two bail applications subsequently, with a regular bail plea listed for June 7. On May 28, the Rouse Avenue Court kept an order reserved on the cognizance point of the ED's supplementary chargesheet against Kejriwal and AAP in the money laundering case, with a decision scheduled for June 4. On May 17, the ED officials, along with Special Public Prosecutor Naveen Kumar Matta, filed the chargesheet.
The Supreme Court previously granted interim bail to Kejriwal till June 1 in the money laundering case, barring his visits to the CM's office and the Delhi Secretariat, while his appeal against the Delhi High Court's judgement, dismissing his plea against arrest by the ED, continued. The HC had rejected his plea for release on April 9, citing non-cooperation with ED summons. Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 concerning alleged irregularities in the Delhi excise policy 2021-22.
- With inputs from agencies
