Delhi High Court Grants Last Opportunity To ED For Arguing Plea Against Arvind Kejriwal's Bail In Liquor Policy Case

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday granted “last and final opportunity” to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to argue its plea against the bail granted to Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal in the money laundering case connected to the alleged liquor policy scam.

Justice Ravinder Dudeja passed the order after the counsel appearing for ED sought adjournment citing non availability of ASG SV Raju who was held up in a matter before CJI bench in the Supreme Court.

Senior Advocate Vikram Chaudhari appearing for Kejriwal strongly opposed the adjournment saying that till date, the matter has been adjourned nine times at the request of ED without any reason. He said that the central probe agency was prolonging the matter unnecessarily.

“Identical cancellation of bail petitions filed in the Supreme Court- withdrawn. Identical cancellation of petitions filed in the High Court- withdrawn. All (accused) have been granted bail. There is nothing left in this. Am I the chosen one? It is political mileage, nothing else,” he said.

The judge orally told ED's counsel that the matter was fixed for hearing today with the consent of both the sides and that the same has to be heard and disposed of.

While accepting ED's adjournment request, the Court ordered:

“Considering that the ASG is not available today as being held up before the Hon'ble Supreme Court, in the interest of justice, a last and final opportunity is granted to the petitioner department to submit its arguments.”

The matter will now be heard next month.

Kejriwal was granted bail by vacation judge Niyay Bindu of Rouse Avenue Courts on June 20, 2024. On ED's challenge, the Delhi High Court had stayed the impugned order.

In July last year, the Supreme Court granted interim bail to Kejriwal while referring his petition challenging his arrest by ED to a larger bench.

Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21, 2024. In May last year, he was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court till June 01, 2024 in view of general elections.

Title: ED v. Arvind Kejriwal