On Thursday, a Delhi court granted bail to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a money laundering case connected to a now-cancelled excise policy. Special Judge Niyay Bindu set the bail amount at ₹1 lakh.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had arrested Kejriwal in this case, linking him to the proceeds of crime related to the liquor policy. The court heard the case for two days before making its decision. The ED requested 48 hours to accept the bail bonds so they could challenge the order in a higher court. However, Judge Bindu clarified that there was no stay on the bail order, meaning it remains effective immediately.
Kejriwal's defense argued that the prosecution lacked evidence to connect him to the alleged crime. The judge stated that Kejriwal’s lawyer could apply for the bail bond the following day.
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Kejriwal was arrested on March 21, just a few weeks before India’s parliamentary elections. On May 10, the Supreme Court had granted him interim bail until June 1, allowing him to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections.