The Supreme Court has reserved the judgment on Arvind Kejriwal’s plea challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case. A bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta clarified that Kejriwal will be entitled to move the trial court for bail notwithstanding the fact that the Supreme Court has reserved judgment and without prejudice to the parties’ contentions.
The ED on Friday apprised the Supreme Court that the Aam Aadmi Party has been made accused in the Delhi liquor policy scam case.
On Thursday, the bench heard the arguments of the ED against the petition and said it would give the probe agency 15 minutes and 45 minutes for the rejoinder arguments of Kejriwal on Friday.
Arvind Kejriwal SC Hearing Updates
ASG Raju, appearing for the probe agency told the top court that AAP is made an accused in the liquor policy scam and the prosecution complaint is being filed today.
“How do you prove, ” Justice Khanna asked, to which ASG Raju responded that the probe agency found chats between Kejriwal and the hawala operator.
“kickbacks were sent through hawala,” ASG Raju said.
The bench further asked if these were mentioned in the “reasons to believe” recorded in writing for the arrest.
“Where have you given in your reasons to believe, ” Justice Khanna asked again, to which, ASG Raju responded, “In the grounds of arrest. We have not given in reasons to believe.”
Justice Khanna then asked, “How will you not give reasons to believe? How will he challenge those reasons?”
ASG, in response, stated that the Investigating Officer need not give these materials and added that if the “grounds/reasons based on material supplied prior to arrest, they can challenge the same”. The investigation will be delayed, and witnesses will be tampered with, he said.
“No, no, no, no,” Justice Khanna said referring to the recent judgment in the Prabir Purkayastha case.
In rejoinder, Senior Advocate Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi mentioned that the ED officers gave weight to one inculpatory statement while ignoring nine exculpatory statements of witnesses.
ED Files Chargesheet Against Arvind Kejriwal, Names AAP As Accused
On the other hand, the ED on Friday filed a charge sheet against Arvind Kejriwal in the money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam and also named his Aam Aadmi Party as accused.
The prosecution complaint was filed before a special court in Delhi and the accused have been sought to be charged under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), a PTI report said.
Explore in-depth coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2024 Schedule, Voter Turnout, Upcoming Phase And Much More At News18 Website
Comments
0 comment