The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is ready to present its first chargesheet against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in relation to a money laundering probe associated with the defunct liquor policy. This signifies the initial occasion where Kejriwal is officially implicated in this case. In the chargesheet, the ED will identify Kejriwal as a ‘kingpin’ and central conspirator in the liquor policy scandal.
The investigating agency has asserted that it has established a money trail connected to Kejriwal. The ED’s action will coincide with a Supreme Court hearing on Friday regarding interim bail for Kejriwal in the liquor policy case.
On Wednesday, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who headed the bench, instructed Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing the ED, to be prepared with his arguments for Friday.
“We will deliver the interim order (on interim bail) on Friday. The primary matter concerning the challenge to the arrest will also be addressed on the same day,” Justice Khanna stated.
Kejriwal did not receive any respite from the Supreme Court on Tuesday, as the bench of Justices Khanna and Dipankar Datta adjourned without issuing an order granting him interim bail to allow him to campaign in the Lok Sabha elections.
The bench expressed its concern that if Kejriwal were released on interim bail, it could lead to a conflict of interest as he would still be expected to fulfill his official duties.
Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21 in relation to the liquor policy case and is currently detained in Delhi’s Tihar Jail.