New Delhi: The Supreme Court is set to announce its decision regarding interim bail for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a money laundering case associated with the purported excise policy scam on May 10.
Presiding over the bench that heard Kejriwal’s plea against his arrest in the case, Justice Sanjiv Khanna stated, “We will deliver the interim order on Friday. The primary matter challenging the arrest will also be addressed on the same day.”
Justice Khanna, accompanied by Justices MM Sundresh and Bela M Trivedi, made this statement following a query from Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing the Centre in a Goods and Services Tax-related matter, regarding the scheduling of Kejriwal’s plea.
The leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was detained on March 21 and is presently incarcerated in Tihar Jail under judicial custody.
On May 7, the bench, including Justice Dipankar Datta, concluded hearings on interim bail for Kejriwal.
The bench adjourned without delivering a verdict on granting interim bail to Kejriwal to facilitate his participation in the Lok Sabha elections.
Following arguments presented by senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi and Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, representing Kejriwal and the Enforcement Directorate respectively, the bench reserved its decision.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the probe agency, vehemently opposed any leniency towards Kejriwal due to the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, asserting that granting him interim bail would create a privileged class for politicians.
The bench bifurcated the hearing on Kejriwal’s plea against his arrest into two segments.
The primary petition contests his arrest by the ED and demands its annulment, while the secondary aspect revolves around the interim bail application amidst the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
The court deferred its decision on the interim bail issue.
On Tuesday, a Delhi court extended Kejriwal’s judicial custody in the money laundering case until May 20.
The Delhi High Court, on April 9, upheld Kejriwal’s arrest, stating that it was lawful and the ED had limited recourse after he repeatedly ignored summons and declined to cooperate in the investigation.
The case pertains to alleged corruption and money laundering in the formulation and execution of the Delhi government’s now-defunct excise policy for 2021-22.
