Arvind Kejriwal’s bail plea should be rejected: EDThere is enough evidence on record to link Kejriwal with money laundering offence: EDThe court had rejected Kejriwal’s plea seeking interim bail.
New Delhi. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s troubles may increase as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) claimed before a Delhi court on Friday that it has ‘sufficient evidence’ to link Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to ‘serious’ economic crimes. The ED made these arguments while opposing Arvind Kejriwal’s bail plea in the money laundering case related to the liquor scam.
The central investigation agency told special judge Kaveri Baveja that it has many evidences against Kejriwal. Kejriwal’s lawyer Hariharan said that we have received the copy of ED’s reply a little while ago. We have objection to this. On this, the court also said that this method is not right. On this, Additional Solicitor General AV Raju, who appeared on behalf of ED, said that we have other cases besides Kejriwal. Kejriwal’s lawyer demanded that the case be heard in front of the vacation bench. The judge adjourned the case to June 14 for further arguments on the application.
The ED has claimed that there is sufficient evidence on record to link the applicant to the crime of money laundering and Kejriwal’s release on bail will adversely affect further investigation to unearth the multi-layer conspiracy. The ED alleged that he is involved in serious economic crimes. The court on Sunday sent Kejriwal to judicial custody in the case. The court passed this order when he was produced before the court through video conference after surrendering before the Tihar jail authorities.
The judge passed the order on an application filed by the ED on May 20, when Kejriwal was out on interim bail granted to him by the Supreme Court. On June 5, the court had rejected the AAP national convenor’s plea seeking interim bail on medical grounds.
What arguments did ED give in the court for Kejriwal’s bail plea?
1. Bail applications in PMLA cases are required to be decided on the basis of mandatory twin conditions prescribed in Section 45 of the PMLA and unless such conditions are fulfilled, bail cannot be granted.
2- Arvind Kejriwal is of course the Chief Minister in the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi and therefore a highly influential person. Coupled with the fact that he is accused of committing a serious economic offence, he has the potential to tamper with evidence and influence witnesses.
3- Further investigation is underway to ascertain the proceeds of crime and the role of various individuals in this case.
4- Further investigation is underway to trace the proceeds of crime. If Kejriwal is released on bail, there is every possibility of important evidence related to this case getting destroyed.
5- Arvind Kejriwal is involved in serious economic crimes. There is evidence against him in this case which links him to the crime of money laundering and if he is granted bail, it will adversely affect the further investigation to unearth this deep conspiracy.
6- ED is taking every possible step to conduct an effective and fair investigation. In the present case, the investigation on some key aspects is at a very crucial stage.
7- There is every possibility that if Kejriwal is released on bail, he may obstruct the investigation.
8- Although personal liberty is paramount, it is not absolute but is subject to reasonable restrictions including those of the State and public interest.
9- In this case, Arvind was arrested in his personal capacity as well as for his role as the head of AAP and AAP has also been made an accused.
10- Kejriwal used POC (proceeds of crime) to book his stay and event at Grand Hyatt, Goa in November 2021.
11- Kejriwal’s close relationship with Vijay Nair and the fact that Vijay Nair was working on the instructions of Kejriwal is evident from many facts including the statements of witnesses.
12. Vijay Nair has been found to be at the centre of the entire scam, right from policy formulation, demanding bribes and then arranging transfers and providing benefits to the bribe givers in return.
13- Vijay Nair is a senior party functionary and media in-charge of Aam Aadmi Party and has no official role in the Delhi government. Vijay Nair held several meetings with members of the South Group to execute the conspiracy.
14- In the present case, accused Arvind Kejriwal was avoiding questioning by not appearing before the investigating officer despite being summoned 9 times by the ED.
15- Even while recording his statement in the interrogation during the search, he was avoiding answering the questions in an evasive manner.
16- Kejriwal has not yet revealed the password of his phone which may contain important evidence.
17- Kejriwal has also violated the conditions imposed by the Supreme Court in its order dated 10 May 2024 while on interim bail. The court had expressly barred Kejriwal from commenting on his role in the ongoing case. But he has openly violated this condition by giving several interviews, speeches, press conferences, calling the case false, fabricated and a conspiracy.
18- ED has said in its reply that Arvind Kejriwal’s bail plea should be rejected.
Tags: Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi liquor scam
FIRST PUBLISHED : June 7, 2024, 19:46 IST