News Analysis India

Tag: Delhi Excise Policy case

  • Delhi CM Kejriwal Granted Bail In Money Laundering Case Linked To Alleged Excise Scam |

    New Delhi: A Delhi Court on Thursday granted bail to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the money laundering case related to the alleged excise policy case. The Delhi court also declines ED’s prayer to stay Arvind Kejriwal’s bail order for 48 hours. Special Judge Niyay Bindu granted the AAP leader relief on a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh. The judge issued the order after hearing arguments from the prosecution and defence counsel on Kejriwal’s application for regular bail.

    Before providing the AAP leader with the relief, the court did, however, place some restrictions on him, such as a promise not to interfere with the investigation or sway the witnesses. In addition, the judge gave Kejriwal instructions to assist with the investigation and show up in court as needed.

    After hearing from the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which aimed to connect Kejriwal to the purported proceeds of crime and co-accused, and the defence, which contended that the prosecution lacked sufficient evidence to convict the AAP leader, the judge had earlier in the day reserved the order.

    The Rouse Avenue court on Wednesday extended the judicial custody of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and another accused Vinod Chauhan till July 3 in a money laundering case related to the Delhi Excise policy. 

  • ‘Arrested without proper investigation’: RJD MP Manoj Jha on interim bail to Kejriwal

    Hailing the Supreme Court verdict granting interim bail to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the Delhi excise policy case, RJD MP Manoj Jha on Saturday said he was ‘happy’ with the reprieve for the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as he was arrested without a ‘proper investigation’.

    Speaking to on Saturday, the RJD leader said, “He (Kejriwal) was arrested without a proper investigation just as (former Jharkhand CM) Hemant Soren-ji and several others. We are happy that he was granted (interim) bail and allowed to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections. If he (Hemant Soren) gets bail, they (BJP) will be wiped out of Jharkhand as well.”

    Earlier, on Saturday, the Delhi CM was granted interim bail after 50 days of incarceration at the Tihar jail following his arrest by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in the excise policy case. The AAP supremo was arrested on March 21, after several hours of questioning.The Delhi CM was granted a 22-day reprieve, till June 1, on the condition that he shall not visit the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) or the Secretariat. AllUttar PradeshMaharashtraTamil NaduWest BengalBiharKarnatakaAndhra PradeshTelanganaKeralaMadhya PradeshRajasthanDelhiOther StatesAs per the court order, Kejriwal was asked to furnish bail bonds of Rs 50,000 with one surety of the same amount. He was asked to surrender on June 2, which coincides with the final day of polling for the 18th Lok Sabha.While granting Kejriwal interim bail, the apex court said he would not interact with any of the witnesses or have access to official files connected with the case.He also can’t “make any comment with regard to his role” in the present case, the bench ordered.The bench also made it clear that the grant of interim bail will not be treated as an expression of its opinion on the merits of the case or the criminal appeal which is pending for its consideration.

    Earlier, in April, AAP MP Sanjay Singh was released on bail from Tihar jail in the liquor policy case following an order by the apex court. Singh was released after spending over six months in jail in connection with the case.

  • Breaking: No Relief For AAP’s Manish Sisodia, Delhi Court Rejects Second Regular Bail Plea In Excise Policy Case |

    NEW DELHI: In a big setback for jailed former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister and Aam Admi Party leader Manish Sisodia, Delhi’s Rouse Avenue court on Tuesday dismissed his second regular bail application in connection with the alleged money laundering probe against him linked to the Excise policy case. Rouse Avenue Court’s Special judge Kaveri Baweja denied bail to Sisodia after reserving the verdict in his bail pleas on April 20. 

    According to news agency ANI, Sisodia’s bail was strongly opposed by both CBI and ED. While opposing Sisodia’s bail plea, the ED argued that the continuation of the excise policy would have made consumers pay hundreds of crores annually. The central agency has also earlier stated that the excise policy would not have been possible without Sisodia.

     

    Delhi | Rouse Avenue court dismisses the second regular bail application of AAP leader Manish Sisodia in Delhi Excise policy case. His bail was opposed by both CBI and ED.

    He had sought bail on the ground of delay in the trial. His earlier bail application was also dismissed by…
    — ANI (@ANI) April 30, 2024

     

    Sisodia had sought bail on the grounds of delay in the trial. His earlier bail application was also dismissed by the court last year. The AAP leader has been in custody since February 2023.

    Sisodia will now approach the Delhi High Court after Rouse Avenue court dismissed his second regular bail application in the Delhi Excise policy case.

    The AAP leader has been denied bail by the trial court, Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court in both ED and CBI cases. The Supreme Court had also dismissed Sisodia’s review petitions against the denial of bail. His curative petitions have also been dismissed.

    The Enforcement Directorate, which is investigating the money laundering allegations linked to the excise policy case, has not yet framed charges against the AAP leader. The ED had earlier informed the apex court that it would complete the trial within six to eight months. 

    Sisodia has been accused of playing a key role in framing the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy, tweaking it for the benefit of particular liquor entities and causing a loss of several hundred crores to the state exchequer. Sisodia was first arrested by the CBI in February 2023, and then by the ED in March that year. 

    In the ED chargesheet, Sisodia has been named as a “key conspirator” in the case, following which he resigned from the Delhi cabinet on February 28, 2023.

  • ‘Contradicting Yourself’: Supreme Court’s Strong Remarks On Arvind Kejriwal’s Plea Against Arrest |

    The Supreme Court of India yesterday heard Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s plea challenging his arrest. While the CM’s counsel contended that his arrest was illegal and was done merely based on suspicion, the apex court made some strong remarks. Appearing for Kejriwal, senior lawyer Abhishek Singhvi said that a person can be arrested only on evidence of guilt. Referring to Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, Singhvi contended that the investigating agency had not recorded the statement of the Delhi Chief Minister, said reports.

    However, the top court reacted sharply to this saying that the petitioner is contradicting his own statement. “Are you not contradicting yourself by saying that his statements under Section 50 of the PMLA were not recorded?” said the court adding that first the CM did not appear on summons for recording of statements under Section 50 and now saying it was not recorded. Arvind Kejriwal had refused to appear before the Enforcement Directorate despite the probe agency issuing nine summons to him. 

    Kejriwal has moved the Supreme Court challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in the Delhi liquor policy case. Kejriwal contended that his arrest was illegal, politically motivated and aimed at toppling the Delhi government. 

    According to reports, the top court noted that the petitioner cannot take the defence that his statement was not recorded because he did not go for it when summoned. To this, Singhvi responded, “Non-recording of Section 50 statements is not a defence to arrest me for reasons of believing there is guilt…The ED came to my house to arrest me. Then why can’t ED record my statement under Section 50 at my house?” he added.

    The Enforcement Directorate has submitted before the court that Kejriwal was avoiding interrogation while recording his statement under Section 17 of the PMLA. The ED also accused the CM of being evasive and uncooperative. 

    The top court also asked why Kejriwal did not file a plea for bail in the trial court, Singhvi told the bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta that they have approached the Supreme Court as it has ‘wider jurisdiction’.

    Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 and is currently lodged in Tihar jail. The hearing in the case will continue today.

  • Arvind Kejriwal Arrest LIVE Updates: Delhi CM Moves SC Against HC Order On Arrest |

    Arvind Kejriwal Arrest LIVE Updates: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday moved the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi high court verdict upholding his arrest related to a money laundering case connected to a alleged excise scam. Vivek Jain, Kejriwal’s legal representative, told news agency PTI that they have challenged the Delhi HC order in the apex court. The Delhi High Court’s decision to sustain Kejriwal’s arrest dealt a significant setback to the Chief Minister just before the Lok Sabha elections.

    The court remarked that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was left with ‘little option’ but to proceed with the arrest due to Kejriwal’s consistent absence from summons and his refusal to participate in the probe.

    Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday said that Punjab’s Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh were scheduled to visit Kejriwal at Tihar Jail, which has now been deferred. The jail authorities have cited security concerns as the reason for the postponement, news agency IANS reported.

    “Yesterday, the time for Bhagwant Mann and Sanjay Singh to meet Kejriwal was fixed. Now, Tihar Jail will inform about the new time,” said AAP.  “The administration had received a letter for a meeting with CM Kejriwal,” IANS quoted jail sources as saying.

    “The Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Tihar will respond today. The reply will address security measures and propose alternative dates for the meeting. Sanjay Singh and CM Bhagwant Mann may then visit CM Kejriwal on the suggested dates, should they choose to,” a source from the prison administration stated.

    Kejriwal was taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 over allegations related to the excise scam. Since his arrest, Kejriwal has been under the ED’s authority, followed by his transfer to Tihar Jail.

  • Delhi Liquor Scam: Sanjay Singh’s lawyer draws court’s attention to ED’s tactics of diversion – The Economic Times Video

    New Delhi: AAP leader Sanjay Singh arrived in Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court for a Delhi Excise Policy Case hearing on April 06. ‘There are types of documents along with chargesheet PC-relied upon document. As per the Supreme Court’s order, the documents ED garnered during the investigation and even if they are not relying on that, still they have to provide the list of it to the accused, and they (the accused) have full right to inspect those documents. In the trial, the accused and prosecution have rights; however, a strong agency should not engage in such kiddish activity. It has come in the cognizance of the court; the court has noted it”, AAP MP’s lawyer Farrukh Khan said.

  • ‘Sunita Kejriwal Is Best Person To…’: Saurabh Bharadwaj Amid Buzz Over Delhi CM’s Wife Leading AAP |

    NEW DELHI: Amid growing speculation regarding the involvement of Sunita Kejriwal, wife of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in the affairs of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), senior party leader and Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj has expressed confidence in her ability to “keep the party together.” Addressing the party’s crisis, Bharadwaj emphasized that Sunita Kejriwal has consistently portrayed herself as a conduit for her husband’s messages, particularly during his current detention. Bharadwaj also underscored the positive influence of her presence on the morale of party members and supporters. “She is delivering the messages of Arvind Kejriwal ji. This has had a great impact on our party cadre and among our sympathisers. We want to propagate it. In the present circumstances, she is the best person to keep the party together,” Bharadwaj said while speaking to ANI.

     

    #WATCH | Delhi: party leader and Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj says, “For years Sunita Kejriwal has been with Arvind Kejriwal, through thick and thin…If such a person stays in the party then she acts as a glue in the party and we see it as a blessing… Since she is a family… pic.twitter.com/SCz0m4EQFJ
    — ANI (@ANI) April 5, 2024

     

    Sunita Kejriwal’s Role Amidst Delhi CM’s Arrest

    Arvind Kejriwal, the national convenor of AAP, is currently detained in connection with a money-laundering case related to the Delhi government’s previous excise policy. With his detention extending until April 15, the spotlight has turned to his wife, Sunita Kejriwal, who has been actively involved in disseminating his messages from custody.

    Sunita Kejriwal’s Public Engagements

    Highlighting Sunita Kejriwal’s recent participation in the ‘Loktantra Bachao’ rally organized by the INDIA bloc on March 31, Bharadwaj interpreted her presence as a sign of resilience against attempts to weaken the party. He noted the emotional resonance her appearance had among party members, particularly in the face of adversity.

    Sunita Kejriwal’s Involvement In AAP Campaigns

    Responding to inquiries about Sunita Kejriwal’s potential role in the party’s campaigning for upcoming elections, Bharadwaj expressed enthusiasm but stressed that any decision regarding her involvement would ultimately be a personal one.

    In light of recent events, speculation has arisen regarding the significance of Sunita Kejriwal’s public appearances following her husband’s arrest. However, Bharadwaj refuted claims of any deliberate messaging behind her actions, emphasizing her commitment to the party’s cause.

  • ‘BJP Top Leadership Behind Arvind Kejriwal’s Arrest’: AAP MP Sanjay Singh On Liquor Policy Case |

    NEW DELHI: A day after his release from jail, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh held a press conference on Friday during which he claimed that a ”conspiracy” was orchestrated by senior leaders of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) to arrest his party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the liquor policy case. Singh accused the BJP of involvement in the Delhi Excise Policy scam, suggesting that high-ranking members of the party were complicit in the alleged wrongdoing.

    Magunta Reddy Forced To Accuse Kejriwal: Sanjay Singh

    Singh highlighted the case of Magunta Reddy and his son Raghav Magunta, asserting that their statements underwent significant alterations under duress. According to Singh, Magunta Reddy initially provided statements that did not implicate Kejriwal but changed his stance following his son’s arrest and prolonged detention. Similarly, Raghav Magunta allegedly altered his testimony after enduring months of incarceration, eventually inculpating Kejriwal in the purported conspiracy.

     

    #WATCH | Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh says, “There is one person, Magunta Reddy, who gave 3 statements, his son Raghav Magunta gave 7 statements. On 16th September, when he (Magunta Reddy) was first asked by ED whether he knew Arvind Kejriwal, he told the truth and said… pic.twitter.com/YzyPrZxYAQ
    — ANI (@ANI) April 5, 2024

     

    Selective Editing by Authorities

    Singh accused the Enforcement Directorate (ED) of selectively removing statements that did not implicate Kejriwal, thereby allegedly manipulating the narrative to suit their agenda. He claimed that the agency disregarded testimonies that exonerated Kejriwal while emphasizing those that inculpated him, insinuating bias in the investigative process.

    ED Raids And Alleged Intimidation

    Singh further alleged that individuals who initially denied any association with Kejriwal were coerced into incriminating him after facing prolonged detention and intimidation tactics by investigative authorities. He cited the case of Sarath Reddy, whose prolonged detention allegedly led to a change in his testimony, implicating Kejriwal under duress.

     

    #WATCH | Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh says, “…There is a person Sarath Reddy, whose residence was raided on 9th November 2022. When he was asked if he knew Arvind Kejriwal, he denied it and said that he had never met him. 12 statements of Sarath Reddy were recorded… pic.twitter.com/zdynwMchhS
    — ANI (@ANI) April 5, 2024

     

    Following his release, Singh visited a Hanuman temple in Connaught Place, where he prayed for wisdom to prevail within the BJP-led central government. Additionally, he paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. Singh’s post-release activities included a meeting with Sunita Kejriwal, the wife of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

    Arrest Of Delhi CM

    Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the excise policy case. The trial court on April 1, sent Arvind Kejriwal to Judicial Custody till April 15, 2024. ED alleged that the Aam Adami Party (AAP) is the major beneficiary of the proceeds of crime generated in the alleged liquor scam. The agency claimed that Kejriwal was directly involved in the formation of the excise policy. 

    The case pertains to alleged irregularities and money laundering in framing and implementing the Delhi Excise Policy 2022, which was later scrapped. While Kejriwal was not named in the FIRs registered by the ED or the Central Bureau of Investigation in the Delhi excise policy case, his name first found a mention in the ED’s chargesheet, wherein the agency claimed that he allegedly spoke to one of the main accused, Sameer Mahendru, in a video call and asked him to continue working with co-accused and AAP communications-in-charge Vijay Nair. 

    Nair was among the first people to be arrested by the CBI in the case, in 2022. Subsequently, former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh were arrested in connection with the case.

  • Sanjay Singh: Delhi Excise Policy Case: AAP MP Sanjay Singh walks out of Tihar jail on bail after 6 months

    The Aam Aadmi Party’s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh was released from Tihar jail on Wednesday after the procession of his bail order was completed.

    This is a time for struggle and our jailed leaders will also come out soon, said the Rajya Sabha MP after walking out of jail.

    “This is the time to struggle. The biggest leaders of our party (AAP) – Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain – have been kept behind the bars. I am confident that one day the locks of this prison will be broken and they will come out. This is why I want to say that this is not the time to celebrate, this is the time to struggle.”The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted him bail in a money laundering case related to the Delhi excise policy scam after the Enforcement Directorate said it had no objections.

    Counsel for Sanjay Singh stated that the appellant Sanjay Singh will not make any comment about his role in the present case.

    A three-bench led by Justice Sanjiv Khanna directed to release of Sanjay Singh on bail during the pendency of proceedings in a money laundering case relating to excise policy irregularities.Beside Justice Khanna, other judges on the bench were Justices Dipankar Datta and Prasanna Bhalachandra Varale.Additional Solicitor General SV Raju appearing for the respondent Directorate of Enforcement stated that the probe agency has no objection in case the appellant -Sanjay Singh is released on bail during the pendency of the proceedings.The ED response came after the court sought to know from the investigating agency whether it needed further custody of AAP leader Sanjay Singh in the excise policy case.

    “Given the statement made, we allow the present appeal and direct that the appellant – Sanjay Singh will be released on bail during the pendency of the aforesaid proceedings, on terms and conditions to be fixed by the trial Court,” the top court said.

    “We clarify that the concession given in the Court today would not be treated as a precedent. We also clarify that we have not made any comments on the merits of the case,” the top court added.

    The court observed that Sanjay Singh had spent six months in jail.

    The top court was hearing AAP leader Sanjay Singh’s plea against the Delhi High Court order refusing to grant him bail in the excise policy irregularities case.

    Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh has approached the Supreme Court against the Delhi High Court order refusing to grant him bail in connection with an excise policy irregularities case.

    In his bail plea, Sanjay Singh has challenged the Delhi High Court order dated February 7, 2024. Sanjay Singh moved to the High Court when, on December 22, 2023, the trial court dismissed his bail.

    Sanjay Singh was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on October 4, 2023, in the case.

    According to ED, Sanjay Singh was alleged to be involved in creating a special purpose vehicle to launder the proceeds of crime that would have been generated from the business arising out of the policy changes as conspired by him and his co-conspirators.

    ED also stated that Sanjay Singh has had certain confidential documents about the investigation of this case that are not in the public domain.

    Sanjay Singh in the Delhi High Court denied charges

  • Arvind Kejriwal Lodged In Tihar Jail No 2: Check His Routine, Facilities In Barrack, Other Details |

    Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been lodged in Tihar Prison’s Jail Number 2 after a city court extended his judicial custody till April 15. Notably, this is the same prison in which Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh was kept but a few days ago, he was moved to Jail number 5. Arvind Kejriwal will be the lone occupant of the Jail number 2. Since his arrest on March 21, the ED has retained custody, hinting at the possibility of requiring further interrogation in the future. 

    Kejriwal To Join Senior AAP Leaders In Tihar

    Arvind Kejriwal joins several other AAP leaders in Tihar. Kejriwal will be in Jail No. 2, while former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia will occupy Jail No. 1. Additionally, former Health Minister Satyendar Jain will be in Jail No. 7, and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh will be housed in Jail No. 5. Notably, K Kavitha, a prominent leader from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi and daughter of former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, is lodged in Jail No. 6 within the women’s section, facing allegations linked to a Delhi Excise Policy case.

    24 का राजपथ : जेल में केजरीवाल, कैसे चलेगी सरकार ?#24KaRajpath #ArvindKejriwal #AAP #TiharJail@ShobhnaYadava @rajurajjee2 @SinghArvind03 pic.twitter.com/Hqm03rFBKq
    — Zee News (@ZeeNews) April 1, 2024

    Facilities In Tihar Jail Number 2

    The Jail Number 2 will be 24×7 in the CCTV surveillance. His jail barrack will have a bed, drinking water and a cooler to avoid the summer heat. Moreover, Tihar Jail also provides continuous medical support to inmates, including Kejriwal, who struggles with diabetes. Considering his health condition, specific dietary requirements have been sought for Kejriwal. Similar to other inmates, Kejriwal is provided access to television channels broadcasting news, entertainment, and sports, except during scheduled prison activities. The Delhi CM has also requested to be provided with a few books including Ramayana, Mahabharata, Geeta and ‘How Prime Minister Decides’. 


    Arvind Kejriwal’s Routine In Jail

    Arvind Kejriwal’s daily regimen in Tihar Jail follows a stringent timetable, starting promptly at sunrise, around 6:30 am. The day begins with a simple breakfast consisting of tea and slices of bread, followed by possible court appearances or meetings with his legal advisors. At around 10.30 am, he will get rice, vegetable, 5 rotis and pulse. At 3.30 pm, he will be given tea and biscuits. He will be allowed to meet visitors and lawyers at 4pm. The Delhi CM will once again get rice, vegetable, 5 rotis and pulse at 5.30 pm and between 6-7pm, he will have to return to his cell.