On Wednesday, Delhi court extended the judicial custody of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal until July 3 in connection with the money laundry case and the allegations of Rs.100 crores to AAP leaders in return. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had arrested Kejriwal on March 21, claiming his direct involvement in crafting the controversial policy .
Previously, the Supreme Court had granted Kejriwal interim bail until June 1 to participate in his election campaigning. Upon the expiry of his interim bail, he surrendered himself to Tihar Jail.
Special Judge Niyay Bindu of the Rouse Avenue Court is currently hearing arguements regarding Kejriwal’s regular bail application. An interim bail request on medial grounds was earlier declined. The ED contends that the now-retracted excise policy was desgined to benefit the ‘The South Group’, a consortium of individuals from southern most parts of India. This group allegedly received the undue advantages and gained undue advantages and gained a significant stakes in wholesaling and retailing of liquor businesses. The Agency further alleges that the group funneled Rs. 100 Crores to AAP leaders. However, Senior Advocate Vikram Chaudhri claimed that there is no concrete evidence to support the bribe.
The defence also highlighted that the evidence presented by the ED largely consists of statements from co-accused individuals and approvers, which they claim for inconsistent and unreliable. The case contributes to unfold as the court deliberates on Kejriwal’s regular bail application.
