3 Months After Arrest, Kejriwal Gets Bail in Excise Policy Case. What Happened In Court

New Delhi: In a huge relief to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, a Delhi Court on Thursday granted him bail in connection with a money laundering case relating to alleged irregularities in the now-cancelled Delhi excise policy 2021-22. Special Judge Niyay Bindu ordered Kejriwal's release on a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh but imposed certain conditions before granting him the relief, including that he would not try to hamper the investigation or influence the witnesses. The judge also directed Kejriwal to appear before the court whenever required and to cooperate with the investigation. “Accused is admitted to bail in the sum of ₹1 lakh,” Bindu said. For the unversed, Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21. The Delhi Chief Minister had been granted interim bail by the Supreme Court on May 10 in view of Lok Sabha polls and was told to surrender on June 2. He was asked not to visit the Office of the Chief Minister and the Delhi Secretariat.  

Arvind Kejriwal Gets Bail: What Happened Today?

"Today, in excise policy scam, Arvind Kejriwal was granted by Rouse Avenue court. He was granted bail on a bail bond of Rs 1 lakh...by tomorrow afternoon, Arvind Kejriwal will come out of jail. This is a big win for AAP leaders, country and people...", said Advocate Rishikesh Kumar, AAP legal team.

The court refused the request of ED to postpone the process of filing a bail bond for 48 hours.  

Kejriwal's counsel emphasized that the entire case against him hinges solely on statements. "The statements are of those people who have confessed to being guilty. They are not saints here. They are those who are not only tainted, but it appears that some who were arrested were given a promise of bail, and promise of being granted pardon. Approvers. And there is another category who have not been arrested," Kejriwal's lawyer informed reporters, after which the court held back its decision, eventually granting bail around 8 pm.  

‘Truth Wins’, Says AAP

Taking to X,  Punjab chief minister and senior AAP leader Bhagwant Mann said,"We have faith in the court… Kejriwal ji gets bail… truth wins."

AAP MP Sanjay Singh, who is also out on bail in the same case, said,"Arvind Kejriwal coming out of jail at such a time is going to strengthen democracy. This is good news for the people of Delhi...ED's statements till now were based on lies...this is a baseless fake case formed to trap Kejriwal."

Congratulating Kejriwal, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal said,"Tom the prosecutions standpoint now that elections are over no need to keep him in jail ! The justice delivery system has been unfair !"

Delhi Excise Scam

In November 2021, the Delhi government, led by Arvind Kejriwal, introduced an ambitious excise policy aimed at modernizing alcohol sales in the city. While some praised its progressive stance, others voiced concerns about potential financial and public health ramifications.  By July 2022, Delhi's Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar raised alarm over violations within the policy. Following his report to Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena, a probe was recommended, and subsequently undertaken by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The investigation alleged significant financial losses to the exchequer, exceeding Rs 580 crore.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) implicated AAP leaders, alleging they intentionally crafted a policy riddled with exploitable loopholes. Accusations emerged of AAP leaders accepting kickbacks from liquor businesses in exchange for favorable treatment, such as discounts, waived license fees, and special relief measures during the pandemic.

According to the ED's findings, there was a structured scheme where wholesale liquor contracts allegedly went to private entities under fixed terms, ensuring a 12% margin with an accompanying 6% kickback to implicated parties. Furthermore, AAP leaders were accused of interfering in electoral processes in Punjab and Goa in early 2022. These allegations intensified scrutiny over the excise policy, fueling broader debates about governance ethics and transparency in public office.

Later, the CBI conducted raids targeting high-profile figures, including then Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, and named them in its FIR. AAP communications in-charge Vijay Nair was also arrested in September 2022 in connection with the case. In a courtroom disclosure in March, the ED reported that proceeds from the alleged scam linked to the excise policy exceeded Rs 292 crore. The scandal took a dramatic turn when K Kavitha, a leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), was held for purportedly paying Rs 100 crore to senior AAP leaders to benefit from the new Delhi excise policy.