Excise PMLA case: Court reserves order on ED's chargesheet against Arvind Kejriwal, AAP

New Delhi [India], May 28 : The Rouse Avenue Court Tuesday reserved the order on cognizance point on the Enforcement Directorate's Supplementary chargesheet (prosecution complaint) filed against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in connection with a money laundering case related to the Excise Policy case.
The Special Judge, Kaveri Baweja, after hearing ED's submissions, fixed the matter for pronouncement of order on cognizance point on June 4, 2024.
During Submissions, Advocate Zoheb Hossain, who appeared for ED, stated that both AAP and Arvind Kejriwal are linked. The term used is 'association of individuals' Political means and association of body of individuals registered. A political party is a body, an association of individuals, ED's counsel said, Several judgements say forming an association of this nature is traceable to right conferred under article 19(1) c.
AAP is a political party, thats beyond dispute. Under the Representation of the People Act, a political party is an association of individuals. A company also includes an association of individuals. A political party falls under the meaning of 'association of individuals', which is fortified by the RP act.
Arvind Kejriwal is kingpin and key Conspirator of Delhi, including several aam aadmi party leader and other persons.
Actively involved with process of crime, including using it for AAP campaign. Vijay nair had nothing to do with excise department but was going around saying that he can get favourable provisions in exchange for funds for AAP.
ED further submitted that Arvind Kejriwal got direct messages from co accused Vinod Chauhan, who was handling proceeds of crimes connected with hawala operators. Look at the close relationships, kind of people offering to meet. What does chauhan have to do with sitting judges?
He's (Kejriwal) involved in Chauhan's postings, I agree it has nothing to do with the liquor business, It shows a relationship between him and Chauhan, said the ED lawyer.
On May 17, 2024, Enforcement Directorate officials along with Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Naveen Kumar Matta filed the chargesheet in the Rouse Avenue Court of Delhi.
On May 10, the top court granted him interim bail till June 1 in the money laundering case registered by the ED in connection with the Delhi excise policy. However, it ordered that he s not visit the Office of the Chief Minister and the Delhi Secretariat. The bench had asked Kejriwal to surrender on June 2.
The apex court was hearing Kejriwal's appeal against a Delhi High Court judgement that dismissed his plea against arrest by the ED and his subsequent remand in the excise policy case.
Kejriwal, while filing an appeal in the apex court, contended that his arrest after the announcement of the General Elections is "motivated by extraneous considerations".
On April 9, the High Court dismissed his plea for release from jail and rejected his argument of political vendetta amid the looming Lok Sabha elections.
The High Court had said that Kejriwal's absence from nine ED summons over six months undermined any claims of special privilege as Chief Minister, suggesting his arrest was an inevitable consequence of his non-cooperation.
Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21 in connection with a money laundering probe relating to alleged irregularities in the now-cancelled Delhi excise policy 2021-22.