Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been granted bail in the case concerning the city’s liquor policy scam. The bail order, which is yet to reach the jail, will likely lead to his release tomorrow.
Mr. Kejriwal’s legal team successfully argued in court that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had insufficient evidence against him. The ED reportedly relied heavily on statements from individuals who turned approver in the case. The defense contested the credibility of these statements, emphasizing that the individuals involved were not reliable sources, having already confessed to their own guilt and potentially received promises of leniency.
“The statements are from individuals who have admitted guilt. They are not credible sources, and some were promised bail or pardon,” Kejriwal’s lawyer asserted.
The court dismissed ED’s request for a 48-hour delay in signing the bail bond to facilitate an appeal, prompting the agency to announce its intention to challenge the decision in the Delhi High Court tomorrow.
The charges against Kejriwal relate to alleged money laundering in connection with the implementation of Delhi’s liquor policy for 2021-22, which was subsequently annulled following objections raised by the Lieutenant Governor. The ED claims that funds received from liquor vendors were diverted to finance AAP’s electoral campaign in Goa, where Kejriwal serves as convenor.
The Chief Minister was arrested by the ED on March 21. His lawyer further argued that the prosecution’s case lacked substantial evidence linking him to the alleged ₹100 crore transaction involving the ‘South Group’, a Telangana-based lobby accused of conspiring to influence liquor license distribution in the national capital.
As per the latest updates, Kejriwal is expected to be released once the bail order is processed by the concerned authorities.
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