Delhi court extends judicial custody of Delhi CM in money laundering case, setback for Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on Wednesday extended judicial custody of Delhi CM till July 12 in money laundering case
In a major setback to Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on Wednesday extended judicial custody of Delhi CM till July 12 in money laundering case related to Delhi Liquor Excise Policy 2021-22.
Kejriwal’s counsel mentioned urgent listing of the matter before a bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, which said it will be heard on Friday.
Advocate Rajat Bharadwaj, appearing for Kejriwal, said the applicant was taken into illegal custody without following due process of law and he has filed a bail plea.
When the counsel insisted on fixing the plea for hearing on Thursday, Justice Manmohan said, “Let the learned judge go through the papers. We will hear it the next day.”
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener was arrested by the CBI on June 26 from Tihar jail where he is still lodged in judicial custody in the money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
He has already challenged his arrest in the CBI case and the plea is pending in the high court. The court had issued notice asking the CBI to file its reply, listing the matter for arguments on July 17.
Kejriwal, who was arrested by the ED on March 21, was granted bail by a trial court on June 20 in the money laundering case.Nonetheless, the high court stayed the trial court’s order.
After the Delhi Lieutenant Governor ordered a CBI investigation into suspected irregularities and corruption related to the policy’s creation and execution, the excise policy was abandoned in 2022.
According to the CBI and ED, irregularities were committed while revising the excise policy and undue benefits were extended to licence holders.
