NEW DELHI: The High Court of Delhi has granted the Enforcement Directorate (ED) a final opportunity to present its arguments against the bail granted to former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy-linked money laundering case.
Justice Ravinder Dudeja said on Tuesday that the matter would be heard on November 10 and directed the ED to use the date effectively. “In the interest of justice and considering that ASG S V Raju is unavailable, a last and final opportunity is granted to the petitioner (ED). List on November 10,” the judge said, stressing that the agency must ensure the hearing is not wasted.
At the start of the hearing, the ED’s counsel sought another adjournment, citing the additional solicitor general’s engagement before the Supreme Court. Kejriwal’s lawyer strongly objected, accusing the agency of deliberate delay. “It is the ninth adjournment being taken by the department without any rhyme or reason,” he told the bench, urging the court to fix a firm schedule. The court noted that the day’s listing had been fixed with the consent of both parties and emphasised that the November hearing must proceed without deferment.
Kejriwal remains on bail following a SC interim order on July 12, 2024, which granted him relief and referred key legal questions on the “need and necessity of arrest” under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act to a larger bench.
Kejriwal was arrested by the ED and the CBI on March 21 and June 26, 2024, respectively, in connection with probes into the excise policy, which was scrapped in 2022 after the LG ordered an inquiry into alleged irregularities. The CBI and ED allege modifications to the policy involved irregularities and that undue favours were given to licence holders.
