Arvind Kejriwal Bail Live Updates: CM likely to walk out of Tihar by noon, ED to approach HC

A Delhi court recently granted bail to chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. His absence during his three-month jail term affected the city's governance. Routine tasks were managed by department heads, but major decisions and policy directions awaited Kejriwal's input, crucial with elections approaching. Pending matters include appointing a new minister, a scheme for women, wage adjustments, road upkeep and policies for modernizing Delhi with initiatives like cloud kitchens and start-ups.

The AAP hailed the decision as a victory for truth, describing it as a "tight slap" on the face of the BJP. Celebrations erupted outside the CM's residence and the party's headquarters, with AAP workers bursting crackers. In a post on X, the Aam Aadmi Party said that "truth can be troubled, not defeated."

• While granting bail to Kejriwal, the court also imposed some conditions on the CM, including that he will not try to hamper the investigation or influence witnesses.
• After the order was pronounced around 7.56pm, the probe agency urged the court to delay the signing of the bail bond by 48 hours to allow time for an appeal before the appellate court. The court rejected the plea and asked for production of bail bond before the duty judge today.

During Thursday's hearing, additional solicitor general (ASG) S V Raju, representing the Enforcement Directorate (ED), asserted that their investigation was based on solid evidence. He mentioned that photos of currency notes, presented in court, were linked to kickbacks and Kejriwal's stay at a luxury hotel in Goa. Raju claimed that Vinod Chauhan had instructed payments to Chanpreet Singh and others, with photos found on Chauhan's phone. He added that Chauhan, who regularly communicated with Chanpreet, had close ties with Kejriwal.

Kejriwal was arrested for allegedly being involved in a conspiracy related to the now-scrapped excise policy. His counsel, Vikram Chaudhri, argued that the case relied solely on statements from individuals who were themselves tainted and had been promised bail for supporting the ED's case. Chaudhri also said that there was no evidence of Rs 100 crore being paid to AAP members by the 'South Group,' nor any video recordings or physical money exchanged.

A Delhi court granted bail to chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, arrested in March for a money laundering case linked to the 2021-22 Delhi excise policy. Special Judge Niyay Bindu issued the order after hearing arguments from both Kejriwal and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over two days. Kejriwal will leave Tihar Jail on Friday after posting a bail bond of Rs 1 lakh, with conditions that he must not interfere with the investigation or influence witnesses. The ED's request to delay the bail bond signing by 48 hours was denied. The ED plans to appeal the decision in the high court on today.