The Delhi High Court is set to announce its verdict on Tuesday regarding the Enforcement Directorate’s appeal to stay the trial court’s decision granting bail to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a money laundering case linked to an alleged excise scam. The pronouncement is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
Justice Sudhir Kumar Jain’s vacation bench had reserved the judgment on June 21 after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) challenged the trial court’s order and put it on hold pending the decision.
Arvind Kejriwal, the national convenor of AAP, was arrested by the ED on March 21 in connection with the case. His potential release from Tihar jail was postponed due to the high court’s interim relief to the ED.
The trial court had granted bail to Kejriwal on June 20, setting a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh and imposing conditions that include refraining from obstructing the investigation or influencing witnesses. The ED argued against the trial court’s decision, alleging it was biased and based on irrelevant factors.
The excise policy under scrutiny was annulled in 2022 following an order by the Delhi Lieutenant Governor for a CBI probe into alleged irregularities and corruption in its formulation and execution. Both the CBI and ED have alleged misconduct during the modification of the excise policy and undue benefits conferred upon license holders.