New Delhi [India]: The Rouse Avenue court on Wednesday granted bail to AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak and others in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case.
Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was produced through video conferencing from the Tihar jail and his judicial custody was extended till September 25.
The court had summoned Durgesh Pathak and other accused, who have been charge sheeted without arrest in the matter.
Special judge Kaveri Baweja granted bail on Durgesh Pathak on furnishing a bail bond of Rs one lakh and other accused also furnished their bail bonds.
Durgesh Pathak and other charge sheeted accused appeared before the court on summons issued by the Rouse Avenue court.
CM Arvind Kejriwal and other accused in custody produced through video conferencing from Tihar Jail. Vinod Chauhan produced physically. He is also in custody in the money laundering case.
The judicial custody of Arvind Kejriwal has been extended till September 25.
The Rouse Avenue court had issued summons and production warrants to accused persons after taking cognisance of the supplementary charge sheet filed by the CBI.
After the hearing, CBI supplied copies of the 4th supplementary charge sheet, to the counsels of charge sheeted accused persons. The list of un-relied documents will also be supplied later, the CBI said.
The CBI had filed a supplementary charge sheet against Arvind Kejriwal, Durgesh Pathak, Amit Arora, Sharath Chandra Reddy, Ashish Mathur and Vinod Chauhan.
On September 3, the court had taken cognizance of the supplementary charge sheet.
Earlier, the CBI had filed a requisite prosecution sanction against Kejriwal and Durgesh Pathak who is an MLA.
It is alleged by the CBI that money received from the South Group went for the AAP Goa election. It is also alleged that Kejriwal promised to give Rs 90 lakhs to every candidate in 40 constituencies of Goa.
Special public prosecutor (SPP) D P Singh along with Manu Mishra appeared for the CBI. He had said that this is the fourth and final charge sheet, no more further investigation.
SPP D P Singh had submitted that, as far as Kejriwal is concerned, he came in touch with the South group. Vijay Nair was appointed by Kejriwal and was media manager.
“Money received from South Group went for AAP’s Goa election campaign. Kejriwal promised to give 90 lakhs to each candidate of 40 constituencies, SPP submitted. Raghav Magunta met Kejriwal,” he added.
He had further submitted that Durgesh Pathak was incharge of the Goa election and all the money spent in the Goa election was on the instruction of Durgesh Pathak.
SPP for CBI had submitted that there are witnesses who stated that a businesswoman from Punjab was threatened.
He had also mentioned the Mahadev liquor, witnesses Sunny Marwah, Punit Diwan, and Jasdeep Kaur Chaddha. It is also alleged that Amit Arora threatened Punit Diwan and another witness.
Amit Arora told them he is the brother of Dinesh Arora, the approver in the case. In May, witness received letter for closure the liquor business, SPP said in the court. Jagpreet Kaur was asked to donate Rs. 51 crore in CM’s relief fund.
Special public prosecutor (SPP) DP Singh had also submitted that accused Sharath Chandra Reddy was the money giver and arranged Rs 14 crores. He got 5 liquor vends in Delhi.
He had also mentioned the WhatsApp chats of Vinod Chauhan and Amit Arora, Vinod Chauhan, Jagdeep Kaur Chaddha, Punit Diwan, Anant S Aiyer all related Mahadev liquor related.
DP Singh also referred to statements of AAP’s Goa candidates. They stated that Kejriwal told them that we should not be worried about the funds required for the election.
Singh further said that money was transferred on the directions of Pathak.
CM Arvind Kejriwal appeared through video conferencing (VC) and left the VC with the permission of the court to have lunch on account of his low blood sugar.
CBI’s SPP further submitted that another accused, Vinod Chauhan, was dealing with the PA of K Kavitha.