Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was granted bail by a Delhi court in a money laundering case involving an alleged excise scam.
Special Judge Niyay Bindu issued the verdict, giving Kejriwal a significant reprieve amid ongoing legal disputes on June 20.
The Enforcement Directorate's (ED) plea to postpone the bail decision for 48 hours so they might pursue additional legal action was denied by the court.
Instead, the judge allowed Kejriwal to be freed on ₹1 lakh personal bail with the condition that he does not tamper with the investigation or attempt to influence any witnesses.
Kejriwal was also given orders by Judge Bindu to continue being available for court appearances and to fully assist with the continuing investigation.
The ED argued that Kejriwal was connected to the alleged illicit proceeds and co-accused individuals, while Kejriwal's defense team contended that the prosecution had insufficient evidence. Earlier in the day, the judge had reserved the order.
Kejriwal is anticipated to be released from Tihar Jail on June 21 if his legal team submits the bail bond. It is expected that the ED will immediately appeal the bail ruling to a higher court.
Given the strict requirements under Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), which only permits bail if the judge is convinced that the accused did not commit the offense and is unlikely to reoffend while on bail, the granting of regular bail represents a significant political boost for Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
A thorough judicial order is still awaited. Kejriwal was taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 after the Delhi High Court turned down his plea for immunity from arrest after summonses were issued against him.
In order to enable Kejriwal to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections, the Supreme Court had granted him temporary bail on May 10 until June 1. He was required to turn himself in on June 2.
Following his compliance, Kejriwal was placed under arrest in Tihar Jail. Despite his citation of multiple health difficulties, the trial judge dismissed his motion for interim bail on June 5.
