New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has extended interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal until June 1 in the ongoing money laundering case filed against him by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) related to the Delhi excise policy.
A Bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta issued the order, providing temporary reprieve to Kejriwal, who has been incarcerated in Tihar jail since his arrest by the ED on March 21 in connection with the aforementioned case.
The ED, in opposition to the court’s initial inclination to grant interim bail, had strongly objected to Kejriwal’s potential release, particularly with regard to his involvement in campaigning for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Kejriwal’s petition challenging his detention and custody by the ED stems from a previous rejection by the Delhi High Court, prompting an appeal before the apex court.
During the proceedings on May 7, the Supreme Court hinted at the possibility of granting interim bail to facilitate Kejriwal’s participation in election campaigns. However, it was clarified that if bail were granted, Kejriwal would not be permitted to carry out official duties as Chief Minister during this period.
The ED’s investigation into Kejriwal’s alleged involvement in money laundering is linked to a case initiated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2022, based on a complaint lodged by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. The inquiry suggests collusion among AAP leaders, including Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, in manipulating the Delhi Excise Policy of 2021-22 to benefit certain liquor vendors.
Kejriwal’s legal representation has contended that, despite his political stature, his rights should not be compromised, emphasizing that he deserves fair treatment under the law.
The timing of Kejriwal’s arrest, notably ahead of the 2024 Indian general elections, has raised questions, with the Supreme Court seeking clarification from the ED on the matter in earlier proceedings.
