Major Setback for Arvind Kejriwal as Delhi High Court Halts Bail Order

Arvind Kejriwal's bail has been paused: The Enforcement Directorate arrested him on March 21 on charges of money laundering related to the formulation of the Delhi liquor policy.

In a significant setback for Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi High Court has suspended his bail order in connection with a corruption case tied to the Delhi Liquor Policy, pending a hearing on the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) petition. The ED challenged the bail just hours before Kejriwal was to be released from Tihar Jail. The urgent hearing request was presented before Justices Sudhir Kumar Jain and Ravinder Dudeja.

The high court stated that the trial court's bail order would remain inactive until the petition is reviewed. Sunita Kejriwal, along with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, had planned to visit Tihar Jail at 4 PM to welcome the Delhi Chief Minister.

Previously, a Delhi court had granted Mr. Kejriwal's release on a personal bond of ₹1 lakh, with conditions that he must not interfere with the investigation or influence witnesses. The court acknowledged Kejriwal's argument that the ED had not provided sufficient evidence since his arrest on March 21.

Mr. Kejriwal's bail came after several denials in trial courts. Despite demands from the Bharatiya Janata Party for his resignation, he has not stepped down as Chief Minister.

In May, the Supreme Court granted him interim bail for election campaigning, but he returned to jail two days before the results were announced.

The ED arrested Mr. Kejriwal over money laundering allegations linked to the 2021-22 Delhi Liquor Policy, which was later revoked following concerns raised by the Lieutenant Governor. The ED claims the money received from liquor vendors was used to finance the AAP's campaign in Goa, with Kejriwal serving as the party's convenor.