Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Granted Bail in Enforcement Directorate Summons Case

In the Enforcement Directorate (ED) summons case, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal made his first in-person court appearance at Rouse Avenue Court in New Delhi, where he was subsequently granted bail. Previously, Kejriwal had attended hearings virtually.

The ED has lodged two complaints against Kejriwal, accusing him of non-compliance with their summonses related to the investigation into the Delhi excise policy case. The agency seeks to interrogate Kejriwal regarding the policy's development, the pre-finalization meetings, and any bribery allegations. Kejriwal, however, has consistently dismissed the summonses as unlawful and politically charged.

During the court proceedings, Kejriwal was instructed to post a bond and surety amounting to ₹50,000, which he complied with, leading to his release. His legal counsel, Advocate Ramesh Gupta, has also requested the provision of documents under sections 207 and 91 of the CrPC, with further discussions scheduled for April 1.

The situation has sparked political reactions, with BJP MP Manoj Tiwari criticizing Kejriwal for not adhering to legal procedures and emphasizing the importance of law compliance. Conversely, AAP leader Reena Gupta defended Kejriwal, asserting the absence of evidence against him and labeling the case as a political witch-hunt.

Security measures were intensified around the courthouse in anticipation of Kejriwal's appearance. Despite Kejriwal's claims of no deliberate defiance and his consistent explanations for his absences, the court declined to suspend the summonses.

On February 17, Kejriwal had appeared before the court via video link. Recently, the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate acknowledged the ED's second complaint, prompting a new summons for Kejriwal's court appearance on March 16.

The second complaint was filed under various sections of the CrPC, IPC, and PMLA, pertaining to non-attendance in accordance with Section 50 of the PMLA.

The ED's scrutiny extends beyond Kejriwal, with six charge sheets filed in the excise policy case. In its latest charge sheet, the ED implicated AAP leader Sanjay Singh and his associate Sarvesh Mishra, alleging that the party utilized illicit funds from the policy for its electoral campaign in Goa.

AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are currently detained on related charges. The AAP contends that these actions are part of a broader strategy by the central government to hinder Kejriwal's campaigning efforts for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The unfolding events continue to draw national attention as the political narrative around the ED's investigations and the Delhi excise policy case evolves.