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Arvind Kejriwal granted bail by Rouse Avenue Court for skipping summons in connection with Delhi excise policy case
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was granted bail by the Rouse Avenue Court's ACMM on Saturday. The bail was provided upon a bond of ₹15,000 and a surety of ₹1 lakh in relation to two cases filed by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the alleged Delhi excise policy scam.
Kejriwal appeared before the court following summons issued to him based on two complaints filed by the ED regarding the liquor policy case. Sanjeev Nasiar, the legal head of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), confirmed the court's decision, stating that Kejriwal had complied with the summons and bail was granted accordingly.
Arvind Kejriwal filed a petition with the Rouse Avenue Court to challenge the directive issued by ACMM Divya Malhotra, requiring his presence in court on March 16. This action followed the Enforcement Directorate lodging two complaints against Kejriwal for allegedly disregarding summons related to a purported money laundering case associated with the Delhi liquor excise policy.
Senior Advocate Ramesh Gupta argued that Kejriwal did not willfully disobey the summons, suggesting that summoning someone is appropriate only if their absence is intentional. Meanwhile, Additional Sessions Judge Rakesh Syal heard arguments from legal representatives of Kejriwal and the Enforcement Directorate. Despite initially being summoned for February 17, Kejriwal was granted an exemption from appearing in person by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Divya Malhotra, given that he participated via video conference. Malhotra instructed him to attend court on March 16. Later, the sessions judge reviewed Kejriwal's plea against the ACMM's subsequent summons issued on March 7 for the same date.
The AAP Chief had skipped eight previous summons by the Enforcement Directorate, starting from November 2, 2023, calling them illegal and biased. Despite repeated summonses on December 28, January 3, January 18, February 2, February 19, and February 26, and March 4 he did not appear. The Enforcement Directorate’s ongoing investigation focuses on the alleged irregularities in the Delhi excise policy, with AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh in custody in connection with the case.
