New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday (January 17) listed for hearing on March 21 a plea filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) challenging a trial court order granting former Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal regular bail in an excise policy-linked money laundering case.
Justice Vikas Mahajan adjourned hearing ED’s plea after the agency’s counsel requested for the adjournment of the case.
Kejriwal’s counsel opposed ED’s request for adjournment
ED’s submission for adjournment was opposed by the counsel representing Kejriwal, saying that the agency repeatedly has sought adjournment of the case. The counsel, while urging the court to hear the case and grant bail to Kejriwal, said that all accused in the case have been granted bail in the case.
“There is an impending election (Delhi assembly). Why should this sword be hanging over him? If bail is well given to all 15 accused, why should it be kept pending for him?” Kejriwal’s counsel asked.
No prejudice was caused to Kejriwal on account of adjournments: ED
The counsel representing the ED told the court that no prejudice was caused to Kejriwal on account of the adjournments as he was already granted interim bail by the Supreme Court in the case.
“I will set it down for hearing.. No prejudice is caused to him. List for hearing on March 21,” said Justice Mahajan, news agency PTI reported.
High Court stayed trial court’s order granting regular bail to Kejriwal in money laundering case
Trial court had on June 20 last year granted regular bail to Kejriwal in the money laundering case on a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh, however, this order was challenged by the ED before the High Court, which stayed the trial court order.
Apex Court granted Kejriwal interim bail in ED case on July 12 last year
The Supreme Court on July 12 last year granted interim bail to Kejriwal in the money laundering case while referring his petition, which challenged his arrest in the money laundering case, to a larger bench.
ED arrested Kejriwal in money laundering case on March 21
The ED arrested Kejriwal in the money laundering case on March 21 last year. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) later also arrested him in an excise policy-linked corruption case. He was granted bail by the top court in the corruption case on September 13 last year, following which he was released from Tihar Jail.
