Excise policy case: Delhi court to hear CM Arvind Kejriwal’s bail plea on June 19

A Delhi court on Friday fixed Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s bail hearing for June 19 in connection with the money laundering case linked with the alleged Excise policy case. Additional Sessions Judge Mukesh Kumar postponed the proceedings after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) requested more time to file a response.

The judge, meanwhile, fixed for Saturday an application filed by Kejriwal seeking directions to allow his wife to join through video conference the proceedings of the medical board constituted to determine Kejriwal’s health condition and treatment.

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The court informed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that it cannot oppose Kejriwal’s requests regarding his medical examination in Tihar jail, where he is currently held.

Judge Mukesh Kumar, acting as the vacation judge, directed the Tihar Jail Superintendent to respond to Kejriwal’s request for his wife to join his medical checkup via video conferencing and simultaneously submit their reply on the matter.

Also Read:Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal sent to judicial custody till June 5

“Application has been moved by the accused seeking directions to allow his wife to join medical board. Before passing any order I deem it appropriate to call for reply from jail superintendent concerned. The application be kept for tomorrow,” the judge said.

During the hearing, the ED requested the court to postpone the proceedings until June 25. However, the judge emphasised that he would prioritise the convenience of the accused for the next hearing date, not the investigative agency’s.

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“The accused is in judicial custody (JC), and not in your (ED’s) custody. If he wants some convenience, you do not have any role in that. You have no role to play. He is in JC. I will consider his convenience, not yours,” the judge said.

Earlier on June 5, a Delhi court had rejected Kejriwal’s plea for interim bail on medical grounds in the case.

Nevertheless, the judge had instructed the Tihar jail authorities to ensure Kejriwal’s medical needs were met while he remained in judicial custody. Kejriwal’s judicial custody has been extended until June 19.