The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a charge sheet against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and others in connection with the excise policy case. The charge sheet was filed in Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court, further entangling Kejriwal in a series of legal battles.
Kejriwal, also the national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 in a money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam. Despite the Supreme Court granting him interim bail, he remains in jail due to his arrest by the CBI in a related matter.
The court acknowledged the State’s objection that Kejriwal continues to be in judicial custody in the corruption case lodged by the CBI. However, it stated that there is nothing preventing him from moving a similar bail application in that case or other cases pending against him in various states.
“Indisputably, he has some thirty–forty cases against him in various states and continues to be in custody in the CBI case. To confine this fundamental right to a particular case and to insist on an independent application in each case is not only taking a myopic view but would result in the multiplicity of similar relief being asserted in different cases,” the court stated.
The court further added that requiring Kejriwal to file independent applications in each case would lead to delays and could indirectly deny him the right to effective legal assistance.
Opposing Kejriwal’s petition, Tihar jail authorities argued that many prisoners with numerous pending cases are allowed only two meetings with their lawyers each week. The ED alleged that Kejriwal was using his meetings with lawyers to send instructions to the ministers of the Delhi government.
In separate petitions, Kejriwal has challenged his arrest in the corruption case registered by the CBI and has sought bail. The AAP leader was arrested by the CBI on June 26 while lodged in judicial custody at Tihar Jail for a related money laundering case filed by the ED.
Kejriwal, who was arrested by the ED on March 21, was granted bail by the trial court in the money laundering case on June 20. However, the trial court’s order was stayed by the high court. The Supreme Court granted him interim bail on July 12 in the money laundering case until a larger bench considers the “need and necessity of arrest” under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Kejriwal is yet to secure bail in the corruption case registered by the CBI in connection with the alleged excise scam, which continues to unfold.
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