Setback for Arvind Kejriwal as Delhi HC puts his bail on hold

Digital Desk: In a significant setback for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi High Court on Friday halted the Rouse Avenue Court's order granting him bail in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped excise policy. This development came after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) challenged the trial court's bail decision.

A vacation bench comprising Justices Sudhir Kumar Jain and Ravinder Dudeja effectively suspended the trial court proceedings, stating, "Stay till the High Court takes up the matter. No proceedings to commence before the trial court (Rouse Avenue) till the Delhi High Court hears the case." Consequently, Kejriwal will remain in jail until the High Court conducts a hearing on the matter.

At the Rouse Avenue court on Thursday, a vacation bench of Justice Nyay Bindu granted bail to Kejriwal while also declining the ED's request for a 48-hour stay on the order. The ED, represented by Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, quickly moved to challenge this decision, arguing that the agency was not given a fair opportunity to present its case. "The order has not yet been uploaded. Conditions not known. We have not got a fair opportunity to oppose," Raju stated.

Raju further contended that he was not given sufficient time to argue the case or to file written submissions. Expressing his frustration with the process, he said, "My arguments were curtailed before the vacation judge. We haven't been given the option of a rejoinder either. This is not fair at all." Citing Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), Raju urged the court to stay the bail order and allow the matter to be heard at length.

Defending against the ED challenge, senior advocate Vikram Chaudhary, representing Kejriwal, dismissed the ED's claims. "All these submissions are not correct. They argued at length. Seven hours of arguments are not enough? Someone should gracefully accept something," Chaudhary retorted. However, Raju insisted on the urgency of a stay, asserting, "This cannot stay for a day where the public prosecutor was denied the opportunity to even argue."

Kejriwal's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21, just ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, had already stirred significant political controversy. The Supreme Court had granted him interim bail in May due to the general elections, but he surrendered on June 2.

Reacting to the High Court's decision, AAP MP Sanjay Singh condemned the ruling and accused the Modi-led government of undermining the judiciary. "Look at the hooliganism of the Modi government. The trial court's order has not come yet, even the copy of the order is not available. Then which order has Modi's ED gone to challenge in the High Court? Why are you making fun of the justice system, Modiji?" he tweeted.

This case continues to unfold amidst a politically charged atmosphere, with significant implications for both the Delhi Chief Minister and the broader political landscape. The impending High Court hearing will be closely watched as it determines the immediate future of Arvind Kejriwal.