Supreme Court to Decide on Arvind Kejriwal’s Bail in Liquor Policy Corruption Case
New Delhi The Supreme Court of India is set to make a crucial decision on Thursday regarding Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s bail in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam. A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan will hear Kejriwal’s petition challenging his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and his application seeking bail.
This comes after the Supreme Court recently granted bail to several prominent figures involved in the excise policy case, including senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K. Kavitha, and AAP’s former communication-in-charge Vijay Nair.
In his special leave petition, Kejriwal has contested his arrest and subsequent remand orders, arguing for his release on bail. The CBI, however, has opposed this plea, alleging that Kejriwal is attempting to politicize the matter. The agency asserts that the orders issued by various courts thus far support the charges against him, and that Kejriwal played a significant role in the formulation of the excise policy in question.
The CBI’s affidavit to the Supreme Court asserts that despite not holding a ministerial portfolio in the Delhi government, Kejriwal’s concurrence and directives were crucial in decision-making processes, including those related to the new excise policy. The agency claims that Kejriwal’s involvement, in conjunction with the then Deputy Chief Minister and Excise Minister Manish Sisodia, was central to the alleged malpractices.
Previously, the Supreme Court had granted Kejriwal interim bail in a related money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on July 12. However, his release was not executed due to his arrest by the CBI in the ongoing corruption investigation.
Additionally, a local court has recently acknowledged the charge sheet filed by the CBI against Kejriwal and other accused. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja issued a production warrant for Kejriwal, extending his custody until September 11.
The forthcoming Supreme Court ruling will be pivotal in determining Kejriwal’s bail status and the progression of the high-profile corruption case.
