Amid a high-profile scandal, with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal under arrest and the court withholding its judgment, the city buzzed with anticipation. The day took an unexpected turn as Sanjay Singh, AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP, emerged from Tihar Jail after six months, revitalizing the disheartened party workers with a palpable boost of enthusiasm. Yet, key AAP figures like Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and Satyendar Jain remain incarcerated, a situation that denotes that despite this glimpse of relief, the road ahead is fraught with challenges.
Learn why below.
Kejriwal has challenged his arrest and remand in the Delhi High Court. On Tuesday, the ED submitted their response, which was followed by an intense 4-hour courtroom debate on Wednesday. The defense deconstructed the ED's actions, arguing the lack of evidence against Kejriwal in money laundering activities, and questioned the timing of the arrest, suggesting it was strategically planned to hinder his election campaign.
'Sanjay's Release Is No Precedent,' Judges Declare
Firstly, it's essential to understand whether Sanjay Singh's release can be a precedent for other AAP leaders seeking bail. Upon granting Singh's release, the Supreme Court made it clear this decision could not serve as a precedent for related cases. In simple terms, it means this order cannot be used by another accused in the same case to claim similar relief. Notably, the ED did not oppose Singh's bail, suggesting a possible change in their usual firm stance against granting bail to Kejriwal and Sisodia. The government's Senior Standing Counsel commented on the case, emphasizing that there was no change in ED's position and that they would later clarify their strategy regarding the Supreme Court's note on the lack of fund recovery. Questions arose about whether AAP could be indicted, to which it was suggested that the investigation officer should be queried.
Further Troubles Ahead for AAP Leaders?
Now, ponder upon the potential future struggles awaiting Kejriwal and other AAP leaders. Following Kejriwal's arrest, the ED informed a lower court that during interrogation Kejriwal admitted that Vijay Nair reported not to him but to senior party leaders Saurabh Bhardwaj and Atishi Singh. This was the first time these two ministers' names emerged in the courtroom in relation to this case, sparking speculation about increasing investigational heat on Atishi and Saurabh Bhardwaj. Another AAP leader and Delhi's Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot is under ED scrutiny, and recent questioning also revolved around Vijay Nair's presence at Gahlot's official residence. During the HIGH COURT hearing on Wednesday, the ED raised issues relevant to Nair's office premises. The ED claimed Nair functioned from an office next to the CM's residence, questioning the practicality of his access there without proper authorization.
ED Hints at Asset Seizure: Targeting AAP's Properties?
The ED has also hinted in court at potential upcoming actions against other AAP leaders and associated properties. They conveyed to the HIGH COURT their intention to seize properties related to the Delhi liquor scam but expressed uncertainty, concerned that action during election time might be misconstrued as politically motivated. They also highlighted the plight of evidence gathering, citing the destruction of numerous electronic devices and stressing that Kejriwal executed illicit activities through intermediaries like Vijay Nair. The ED has challenged the notion of any political vendetta, supporting their claims with income tax data, WhatsApp chats, hawala operator statements, and a tracked money trail. They further elucidated that the inability to recover funds doesn't negate the existence of a money laundering offense and suggested that funds could've been used by AAP in the 2022 Goa elections. The agency compared the situation to a murder case where a body is not recovered but the crime is still evident, promising more disclosures upon charge sheet filing.
ED Disassociates Kejriwal From Direct Hawala Links
The ED clarified that its investigation predated recent events, noting extensive phone and electronic device destruction amounting to millions of rupees. They claimed that while Kejriwal outsourced operations to go-betweens like Vijay Nair, he wasn't handling hawala transactions personally. The ED painted Kejriwal as the mastermind behind the excise policy fiasco, alleging that he conspired to benefit certain individuals through the concoction of the Excise Policy 2021-22, and sought bribes from liquor businessmen in exchange for policy favors. The agency's key evidence portrayed Kejriwal's cognizance of the conspiracy.
