Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s Bail in Excise Policy Case Challenged by Enforcement Directorate

New Delhi [India], July 10: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has opposed the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) plea challenging the trial court’s decision to grant him bail in the Excise Policy money laundering case. Kejriwal argued that bail orders should not be overturned based on the prosecution’s perceptions and imaginations.

Kejriwal criticized the ED for presenting media reports during the hearing and accused the agency of using contradictory standards. He emphasized that liberty is a fundamental constitutional value and that the courts must protect citizens’ freedom against state overreach. Kejriwal claimed that his arrest was illegal and that the ED had fabricated a false story against him.

The Delhi High Court has postponed the hearing on the ED’s plea to July 15. Recently, the High Court upheld the trial court’s decision to grant bail to Kejriwal but noted that the trial court should have recorded its satisfaction regarding the conditions of section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Justice Sudhir Kumar Jain stated that the trial court did not properly consider the evidence and arguments presented. The High Court has stayed the trial court’s order granting bail to Kejriwal, agreeing with the ED that the trial court’s decision was flawed.

On June 20, the trial court granted bail to Kejriwal, but the ED quickly challenged the decision. The High Court has reserved its order on the ED’s application to stay the bail order and has halted Kejriwal’s release until a final decision is made.