Delhi HC Halts Arvind Kejriwal's Release After ED Challenges His Bail Order

In what could be termed as a big setback for Arvind Kejriwal, the High Court on Friday put a spanner in the works by halting the Delhi CM's release from Tihar jail in the liquor policy case.

Rouse Avenue court had granted bail to Kejriwal after his lawyer argued that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had failed to present any evidence against him. However, the ED went ahead and challenged the bail in the Delhi High Court.

"Stay till the High Court takes up the matter. No proceedings to commence before the trial court (Rouse Avenue) till the Delhi High Court hears the case," vacation bench of Justices Ravinder Dudeja and Sudhir Kumar Jain said.

In anticipation of Kejriwal's release, AAP leaders were supposed gather to greet him. Water Minister Atishi and Kejriwal's wife, Sunita, were to visit the Raj Ghat, where Atishi will begin an indefinite hunger strike to protest against the severe water shortage in Delhi.

At 4 pm today, Atishi and other AAP leaders were planning to head to Tihar jail to receive Kejriwal as walks out after release. However with this development, that will have to wait for now.

Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21 on money laundering charges related to the 2021-22 Delhi liquor policy, which was later scrapped following concerns raised by the Lieutenant Governor. The ED has alleged that funds received from liquor sellers were used to finance AAP's campaign in Goa. Kejriwal and AAP have consistently claimed that the central government is misusing its agencies to target the opposition with baseless accusations.

The court had ordered Kejriwal's release on a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh, with conditions that he must not interfere with the investigation or influence witnesses.