Excise policy case: No objection if former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's passport is renewed, says court
A Delhi court Wednesday granted a no-objection certificate (NOC) to former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to renew his passport. The AAP chief is an accused in the corruption and money laundering cases linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam.
'In such circumstances, applications preferred by Arvind Kejriwal for renewal of his passport is allowed and this court has 'no objection' if the passport of the applicant, namely, Arvind Kejriwal is renewed for 10 years as per rules,' said Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh of Rouse Avenue Court in his June 4 order.
While the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had opposed the request, submitting that as per norms, renewal permission for five years should be granted, the Enforcement Directorate did not give a formal reply and stated orally that the renewal of the passport should not be granted for 10 years.
The CBI, which is investigating the corruption case in the matter, was represented in court by Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) and Senior Advocate D P Singh. The ED, which is investigating the money laundering case, was represented by SPPs N K Matta and Simon Benjamin, along with advocate Faizan.
Kejriwal, whose passport had expired in 2018, had sought a 10-year renewal. He was represented in court by advocate Mudit Jain.
'It is, however, made clear that the order of this court shall not in any manner fetter the discretion of passport authorities in grant or refusal of the renewal of passport under the Indian Passports Act and relevant rules. The 'no objection' granted vide this order shall remain in force for three months from today, within which the applicant may get his passport renewed,' the court said.
'It goes without saying that the present order is not granting any permission to the applicant to travel abroad, and if he ever desires to travel abroad for any purpose, he shall have to file an appropriate application seeking such permission,' it added.
As per the central agencies, Kejriwal's role in the excise policy 'scam' allegedly involved receiving 'bribe money' from the 'South Group' (business persons from South India) in exchange for granting favours to them when the now-scrapped policy was being drafted.
The CBI had alleged that Kejriwal ensured Rs 90 lakh from the 'bribe money' would be given to each of the 40 AAP candidates during the 2022 Goa Assembly polls.
Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21, 2024. On June 26, 2024, he was formally arrested by the CBI.
He was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court in the ED money laundering case on July 12, 2024. The Supreme Court later granted him bail in the CBI case on September 13, 2024.
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