Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s Bail in Excise Policy Case Challenged by Enforcement Directorate

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed submissions before the Delhi High Court, opposing any relief to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the Excise Policy money laundering case. The ED argues that the trial court’s decision to grant bail to Kejriwal was illegal and perverse, as it did not consider new evidence collected after 2023.

The Supreme Court has adjourned the case to June 26, questioning the High Court’s unusual decision to grant an interim stay on bail without passing a final order. Justices Manoj Misra and SVN Bhatti noted that such decisions are typically made on the spot.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, argued that the procedure of staying bail on the first day of hearing is unprecedented and questioned how the time lost by Kejriwal would be compensated if the High Court dismisses the ED’s appeal. Another senior advocate, Vikram Chaudhary, emphasized that Kejriwal has no criminal history and is not a flight risk.

The trial judge had granted bail to Kejriwal on June 20, but the ED quickly challenged this decision, leading to the High Court’s interim stay on the bail order. The High Court is expected to pronounce its final order soon.