Delhi court reserves order on Arvind Kejriwal bail plea

A Delhi court on Thursday reserved its verdict in the bail plea by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was arrested in the money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy of 2021-22. .The Court also reserved orders on a plea by Kejriwal to allow his wife, Sunita Kejriwal, to join virtual proceedings when he is subjected to a medical examination to assess his health condition in jail. Rouse Avenue Court judge Niyay Bindu heard the matter for two days before reserving orders in the matter today. The judge had earlier indicated that she did not wish to keep the matter pending indefinitely while asking all counsel to be concise in their arguments. .Will pass order on Arvind Kejriwal bail plea immediately after hearing, will not reserve order: Delhi court.Kejriwal was arrested on accusations of being part of a conspiracy to launder money allegedly received as kickbacks in exchange for intentionally leaving behind loopholes in the now-scrapped Delhi liquor policy of 2021-22.The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has alleged that these loopholes were meant to benefit certain liquor sellers and that the bribes received were allegedly used to fund the AAP's election campaign in Goa.Kejriwal has denied the allegations and has accused the ED of running an extortion racket..Representing the ED, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju opposed the bail plea as well as Kejriwal's claim that there was no money trail or proof to back up the central agency's allegations in the excise policy case. "It is not as if ED is doing the investigation in the air. We have concrete evidence," Raju said today, adding that the ED has photos of currency notes which were part of the money given as kickbacks.He further referred to Kejriwal's stay at a seven-star hotel in Goa. The ASG argued that the hotel stay was paid through kickback money."In the same Goa campaign, we are saying, kickback money was used ... Chanpreet Singh (AAP volunteer, who is also an accused in the excise policy case) received a huge cash amount and he paid the bill of hotel of Arvind Kejriwal. He was handling their Goa election," ASG Raju submitted. Among other submissions, it was also argued that an adverse inference could be drawn against Kejriwal since he was being secretive about his mobile phone. "Adverse inference has to be drawn because Kejriwal has refused to give his password. A lot of skeletons will come out if he gives his phone," the ASG said. He went on to assert that Kejriwal was liable to be prosecuted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) even if he is not personally involved in any offence. "You may not have committed the offence but you are responsible for the affairs of the AAP and if AAP is guilty of an offence then you are guilty of the offence as well. This is as per Section 70 PMLA. Everyone know there is one person responsible for the affairs of the AAP and that is Arvind Kejriwal," ASG Raju said in this regard. .Kejriwal was represented by Senior Advocate Vikram Chaudhary who reiterated that the ED's allegations were not backed by any proof. "Is ED an independent agency or playing in the hands of some political masters? ... The ED draws all its conclusions based on hypothesis ... If they are still collecting the material, then it is an unending investigation. They say I am national convenor of AAP and that's why I am responsible for everything done by the party. There is nothing to show that ₹45 crore were ever received by AAP. This is all in the realm of speculation, prejudices and beliefs. They are still arresting and evaluating but keep on making a statement that ₹100 crore bribe was received," Chaudhary argued.As he concluded, he submitted that Kejriwal should be extended the same liberties as any other person. "Don't treat me as someone special. I don't want to be treated as a special person. But please mete out the treatment to me as you would to an ordinary person," Chaudhary said. .Kejriwal was earlier able to secure interim bail from the Supreme Court to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections. He returned to jail on June 2. Yesterday, his judicial custody was extended till July 3 by the trial court. Recently, his plea for interim bail on medical grounds was rejected by the trial court. .[Read Live Coverage].Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.