Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal (Photo: PTI)
In a dramatic turn of events for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed his regular bail order granted by the Rouse Avenue Court on June 20.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader was set to be released on June 21 after the June 20 hearing where Kejriwal’s lawyer argued that the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) case against him was based solely on statements made by people who approved had become.
Meanwhile, opposing his bail plea, the ED had alleged that Kejriwal demanded Rs 100 crore bribe from the South Group for his party. The agency argued that if the Aam Aadmi Party, which is charged in the case, committed a crime, the person responsible would be held accountable.
The ED alleged, “Kejriwal demanded a bribe of Rs 100 crore for the AAP from the South Group. He is responsible for the conduct of his party,” said Special Judge Niyay Bindu.
Here is a timeline of AAP National Congress member Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest and subsequent bail in the excise policy case:
– October 2023: ED sends first summons to Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the liquor policy scam.
– November 2023: Kejriwal skips ED’s first call on November 2 and flies to Singrauli in Madhya Pradesh to address a political rally.
– December 2023: Kejriwal skips the second summons, calling it “illegal and politically motivated”.
– January 2024: Kejriwal skips third summons, alleging central government conspiracy.
– January 2024: ED issues a fourth summons to Kejriwal and asks him to present himself for questioning on January 18.
– January 2024: Kejriwal responds to ED summons and asks why he was not a suspect in the case.
– February 2024: Kejriwal skips the ED’s fifth summons for the fifth time.
– February 2024: ED moves court alleging Kejriwal failed to comply with summons.
– February 2024: Delhi court grants Kejriwal exemption from personal appearance for that day.
– February 2024: Kejriwal skips the seventh summons. AAP claims that they raised legal queries about ED’s “illegal summons” and received no response.
– March 2024: A sessions court grants Kejriwal bail on two complaints filed against him by ED for skipping summons in the case.
– March 2024: Kejriwal moves Delhi High Court against ED summons. The Chief Minister tells the Delhi High Court that he will not appear before the Enforcement Directorate as there is a ‘clear intention’ to arrest him with the elections around the corner.
– March 2024: Delhi High Court refuses to grant Kejriwal any protection from coercive measures.
– March 2024: Hours after the Supreme Court denied him relief, Kejriwal moves the Supreme Court to seek protection from coercive action by the Enforcement Directorate.
– March 2024: Kejriwal skips nine agency summons for questioning. ED arrests Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.
– March 2024: Delhi Minister Atishi says a legal team is heading to the residence of the Supreme Court Registrar to demand the ‘quash’ of Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest.
– May 10, 2024: The Supreme Court grants Kejriwal interim bail till June 1 to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections. He says he will have to surrender and go back to prison on June 2.
– June 1, 2024: Kejriwal moves court in Delhi seeking anticipatory bail.
– June 2, 2024: Kejriwal surrenders in Tihar jail
– June 5, 2024: The court reserves the June 5 order on Kejriwal’s interim bail plea.
– June 5, 2024: The court rejects Kejriwal’s interim bail on medical grounds.
– June 20, 2024: The Delhi court grants Kejriwal regular bail in the money laundering case related to the now abolished liquor policy.
– June 21, 2024: ED moves Delhi High Court opposing Kejriwal’s release. HC blocks Kejriwal’s bail
First print: June 21, 2024 | 3:19 PM IST