AAP Leader Durgesh Pathak Granted Bail Amid CBI Supplementary Charge Sheet

The Rouse Avenue court granted bail to AAP leader Durgesh Pathak after he furnished a bail bond of Rs 1 lakh. Various accused appeared in court, while CM Arvind Kejriwal participated via video conferencing. The CBI has filed a supplementary charge sheet against multiple individuals, alleging financial misconduct during the AAP's Goa election campaign.

On Wednesday, Special Judge Kaveri Baweja of the Rouse Avenue court granted bail to AAP leader Durgesh Pathak, contingent upon a bail bond of Rs 1 lakh. Pathak, along with other accused individuals, appeared before the court following summons issued by the Rouse Avenue Court. During the proceedings, CM Arvind Kejriwal and other defendants in custody appeared via video conferencing from Tihar Jail, while Vinod Chauhan made a physical appearance. Chauhan remains in custody concerning a money laundering case. Kejriwal's judicial custody has been extended until September 25.

The court had issued summons and production warrants after taking cognizance of the supplementary charge sheet filed by the CBI. The CBI has since committed to providing copies of the supplementary charge sheet and a list of unreleased documents to the defense counsel. The supplementary charge sheet implicates Arvind Kejriwal, Durgesh Pathak, Amit Arora, Sharath Chandra Reddy, Ashish Mathur, and Vinod Chauhan.

According to a CBI allegation, funds received from the 'South group' were diverted to finance the AAP's Goa election campaign, with claims that Kejriwal promised substantial financial support to candidates. Relying on testimonies and various evidence, Special Public Prosecutor D.P. Singh asserts that Kejriwal remained in communication with the South group via Vijay Nair. Additionally, allegations include the involvement of witnesses who described threats linked to the Mahadev liquor case. Kejriwal's judicial custody has been extended, and the matter remains under intense scrutiny. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)