Delhi Excise Policy case: Delhi CM, Arvind Kejriwal, granted bail in liquor policy case
PTC News Desk: In connection with a now-canceled excise scheme, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was granted bail by a Delhi court on Thursday in a money laundering case.
"The accused has been granted bail in the amount of ₹1 lakh," stated Special Judge Niyay Bindu.
Before granting Kejriwal the relief, the court also placed some restrictions on him, such as the need that he refrain from attempting to obstruct the investigation or influence the witnesses.
In order to dispute the judgment in a higher court, the Enforcement Directorate asked the judge to provide the investigative agency 48 hours to receive bail bonds.
But Special Judge Bindu made it clear that the bail order was not suspended. The court stated that Arvind Kejriwal's attorney may request a bail bond from the relevant judge tomorrow.
"We believe the court is right. Kejriwal ji is granted bail. Bhagwant Mann, the senior AAP leader and chief minister of Punjab, wrote in Hindi on X.
Sanjay Singh, an AAP MP who is also free on bail in this matter, claimed that the ED had only provided false information up to this point and that Kejriwal's release from custody will strengthen democracy.
The release of Arvind Kejriwal from prison at this particular moment will fortify democracy. The citizens of Delhi should rejoice over this news.He told ANI, "ED's statements up until now have been based on lies. This is a baseless fake case created to trap Kejriwal."
#WATCH | After Rouse Avenue court granted bail to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, AAP MP Sanjay Singh says, " ...Arvind Kejriwal coming out of jail at such a time is going to strengthen democracy. This is good news for the people of Delhi...ED's statements till now were based on… pic.twitter.com/nGosyjxNlF — ANI (@ANI) June 20, 2024
"Those who have admitted their guilt are the ones who made the statements. This is not a place of saints. These people are not only tainted, but it also seems that some of the people who were detained were promised bail and a pardon. approvers. The attorney for Mr. Kejriwal had stated earlier in the day, "And there is another category who have not been arrested," following which the court postponed making an announcement regarding the bail until after 8 p.m.
#WATCH | Firecrackers being burst by AAP workers outside the residence of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi.
Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court today granted bail to CM Kejriwal on a bond of Rs 1 lakh in the excise policy case. pic.twitter.com/ROOq0FVP4K — ANI (@ANI) June 20, 2024
Kapil Sibal, a member of the Rajya Sabha, praised Kejriwal on receiving bail, calling it "long overdue".
From the prosecution's point of view, there's no need to keep Tom in jail now that the elections are over! The system for delivering justice has been unjust!" Sibal stated on X.
After hearing the case for two days, Judge Bindu reserved the decision earlier today.
The defence said the prosecution lacked sufficient evidence to convict the AAP leader, while the central financial crime-fighting agency attempted to connect Arvind Kejriwal to the purported proceeds of crime and co-accused during the hearing.
The Centre on Thursday formed a high-level committee to review the functioning of National Testing Agency (NTA) amid the allegations of irregularities during the medical entrance examination NEET.
“We are committed to holding zero-error exams, and a high-level committee is being formed to improve NTA functioning,” Pradhan said at a briefing.
"Recommendations will be expected from that high-level committee to further improve NTA, its structure, functioning, examination process, transparency and data security protocol. Strict action will be taken against any official of NTA if found guilty,” he said.
“I want to assure everyone that the government is committed to protecting students’ rights. We will not compromise with transparency,” the minister said.
“We have received inputs from the Bihar government about NEET examination. Patna Police is investigating the matter and they will soon send a detailed report to the Government of India. Preliminary information indicates that errors were limited to a specific region,” Pradhan added.
“Let us have faith in our systems; no irregularities or malpractices will be tolerated by govt,” the minister said.
Also Read: NEET row: Government forms high-level committee to review NTA's functioning
- With inputs from agencies
