Delhi court defers hearing of Arvind Kejriwal's bail plea to June 14

A Delhi court on Friday postponed the hearing of the bail petition filed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who has been arrested in connection with an alleged money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped liquor policy case.

Kejriwal's bail plea was deferred to June 14 by Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed its response before Delhi's Rouse Avenue court, opposing Kejriwal’s plea seeking regular bail in the Delhi liquor policy case.

The court took the ED’s reply on record and listed the case for hearing on June 14, after time was sought by Kejriwal’s lawyers to consider the probe agency's statement, which they claimed was given to them right before the hearing on Friday.

The ED had said in its reply that Kejriwal’s alleged chats with another accused, Vinod Chauhan shows that the latter was setting up AAP chief's meetings with a High Court judge.

The ED has said that Vinod Chauhan was responsible for the transfer of Rs. 25.5 crore from Delhi to Goa, which was received from Abhishek Boinpally, a representative of the alleged 'South Group', who also handled cash transfer in the quid pro quo arrangement.

The ED has claimed that the examination of Vinod Chauhan's digital chats revealed a close relationship between Vinod Chauhan and the Chief Minister. It claimed that Chauhan's proximity was visible from the fact that he was managing postings for officers in Delhi Jal Board through Arvind Kejriwal.

The ED attached a chat and a screenshot of an official note from the Delhi government, which approved such postings.

The ED in its reply stated that Kejriwal is involved in the commission of grave financial offences and there is "ample evidence on record" to link him to the commission of the offence of money laundering, and his release on bail would adversely affect further investigation to unearth the deep-rooted multi-layered conspiracy.