Supreme Court Grants Interim Bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in Excise Policy Case

The Supreme Court of India has granted interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case. A bench led by Justice Sanjiv Khanna referred his petition challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to a larger bench.

The court noted that Kejriwal has been incarcerated for 90 days and acknowledged his status as an elected leader. Kejriwal’s lawyer, Rishikesh Kumar, described the verdict as ‘a big victory.’ He stated, ‘The Supreme Court has granted him interim bail and the issue of Section 19 and necessity of arrest has been referred to a larger bench. CM Kejriwal will remain in custody as his bail in the CBI case is still pending. This is a big victory.’

Supreme Court lawyer Shadan Farasat, representing Kejriwal, added, ‘The court observed that in so far as his arrest is concerned, there are certain aspects on the necessity of arrest… They said Mr. Kejriwal has undergone a large period of incarceration already and therefore, directed his release and bail immediately in the ED matter.’

The top court had reserved the verdict on Kejriwal’s plea on May 17. On May 10, the apex court granted Kejriwal interim bail till June 1 in the money laundering case registered by the ED in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy. However, it ordered that he shall not visit the Office of the Chief Minister and the Delhi Secretariat. He surrendered on June 2 as directed.

While filing an appeal in the apex court, Kejriwal contended that his arrest after the announcement of the General Elections was ‘motivated by extraneous considerations.’ On April 9, the High Court dismissed his plea for release from jail and rejected his argument of political vendetta amid the looming Lok Sabha elections. The High Court noted that Kejriwal’s absence from nine ED summons over six months undermined any claims of special privilege as Chief Minister, suggesting his arrest was an inevitable consequence of his non-cooperation.

Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21 in connection with a money laundering probe relating to alleged irregularities in the now-cancelled Delhi excise policy 2021-22.