Thursday brought significant respite for Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in the money laundering case connected to a liquor scam. Granted bail on a surety of one lakh rupees, Kejriwal is set to be released from Tihar Jail tomorrow. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) requested 48 hours to oppose the bail, which the court rejected. The Rouse Avenue Court announced that on a surety of one lakh rupees, Kejriwal could be released from incarceration on Friday.
Arrested in the liquor scam, CM Kejriwal
The Delhi CM was implicated as an accused in a money laundering investigation related to the liquor scam. The ED charged and apprehended him following these allegations. Prior to this, the CM had been granted permission to leave jail for campaigning in the Lok Sabha elections in May, after which he was ordered to surrender to Tihar Jail once the election concluded. Now, he has been granted regular bail, which has brought a sense of jubilation within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
In court, ED's argument: Funds used for Goa Assembly elections
Special Judge Justice Bindu kept the order reserved after hearing the arguments of the ED. The defense had argued that the prosecution lacked evidence to convict the AAP leader. During the debates, the ED informed the court that on 7th November 2021, Kejriwal stayed at the Grand Hyatt in Goa during the legislative assembly campaign, and the bill was paid by Chanpreet Singh, who is alleged to have managed funds for AAP in the coastal areas.
What did the ED assert in court?
The ED stated in court that, "The hotel payment was made in two installments of one lakh rupees each.. This was paid by Chanpreet Singh (co-accused) from his bank account. Chanpreet is the person who received 45 crores through various 'Angadias' (couriers)." The angadia system is a traditional parallel banking scheme where merchants send cash from one state to another using a trusted courier, prevalent in the jewelry business in Mumbai and Gujarat. The central agency also targeted Kejriwal for ignoring summons to join the investigation repeatedly.
The case was based solely on statements, the CM's lawyer argued
The ED also said despite neglecting nine summons, they did not arrest Kejriwal. However, Kejriwal’s lawyer claimed that the entire case against them is based on statements. The CM's legal representative said in court, "The statements are from those who have admitted to being guilty. These are not saints here. They themselves are tainted; it even appears that they were promised bail and leniency in exchange for their testimonies.
No evidence for 'South Group' transferring 100 crores
The CM's lawyer expressed, "The circumstances should be connected internally to indicate crime. There is no evidence that 100 crore came from the South Group. These are all statements. There is no proof." According to the ED and CBI, the South Group is a syndicate of politicians, businessmen, and other individuals who lobbied for liquor licenses, for which they bribed the ruling party in Delhi. Kejriwal's lawyer alleged discrepancies in the statements of multiple co-accused.
No criminal history for CM Kejriwal
It was argued that 'if another statement is recorded to fill a gap, it wouldn't be a surprise. This is the process they follow. The investigation is always endless. They can entrap anyone at will. It is the greatest tool for harassment.' On Wednesday, advancing his arguments, Kejriwal's lawyer stated that the Supreme Court granted interim bail to the Chief Minister after being satisfied that there were no chances of him evading justice or influencing the investigation or witnesses. It was also asserted that Kejriwal has no criminal past.
The CM's lawyer criticized the ED for basing their sole evidence against Kejriwal on 'just statements', as the central agency claimed that when it becomes difficult to secure evidence, the endorsers become the evidence.
ED informed the court on Wednesday that when the former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was named as an accused in this case, the AAP was not designated as the accused. The ED alleged in court that, "Kejriwal demanded a bribe. He asked for a bribe of 100 crores. Kejriwal sought funds for AAP. He demanded a bribe from the South Group. You can't say he is not guilty of the crime. If AAP commits a crime, the party's in-charge will be held accountable." Opposing Kejriwal's bail, the ED stated that AAP is now named as the accused.
Kejriwal is responsible for the party's conduct: ED
Kejriwal is accountable for the conduct of the party. He is the National Convenor of AAP. The ED claimed, 'The demand for the bribe has been established. The money went to Goa. It proceeded to the hawala dealers. We have recorded statements. A significant part of the sum was paid in cash, which has also been established.''
