In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court of India on Wednesday denied interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with a corruption case pursued by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). This case is linked to the contentious excise policy of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government.
Kejriwal’s appeal for interim bail, which followed a previous rejection by the Delhi High Court, was reviewed by a bench consisting of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan. Although the Delhi High Court had previously dismissed his plea, the Supreme Court’s decision is pivotal in the ongoing legal battle.
The Delhi Chief Minister was initially detained by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21, 2024. This arrest was related to the now-abandoned liquor policy implemented by the AAP in Delhi. Shortly after, the CBI also took him into custody, intensifying the legal scrutiny surrounding him.
On July 12, the Supreme Court had granted Kejriwal interim bail in the case involving the ED. This development prompted the Supreme Court to consider his request for interim bail in the CBI case after senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, sought an expedited hearing.
Earlier, on August 5, the Delhi High Court had upheld the legality of Kejriwal’s arrest by the CBI. The court concluded that the CBI’s actions were justified, with no evidence of malice in their procedures. It was noted that the arrest occurred only after collecting sufficient evidence and obtaining the necessary sanctions.
The CBI contended that Kejriwal, given his prominent position, might influence potential witnesses, which justified his detention. In response, Kejriwal argued that his detention was a form of “gross persecution and harassment” driven by “malafide and extraneous considerations.”
The High Court responded by affirming that the evidence against Kejriwal was substantial and that there was no indication of improper conduct by the CBI. The court’s stance underscored that the evidence loop against Kejriwal was deemed to be closed after his arrest, confirming that the CBI acted within legal boundaries.
Kejriwal’s bail application comes in the wake of a recent Supreme Court decision granting bail to Manish Sisodia, a senior AAP leader and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, who had spent 17 months in jail in relation to the same case.
The central agencies have alleged irregularities in the modification of the excise policy, suggesting that undue advantages were granted to license holders by the Delhi government in 2022. This policy was subsequently revoked following an investigation into the alleged corruption ordered by the Delhi Lieutenant Governor.
The Supreme Court’s denial of interim bail to Arvind Kejriwal underscores the gravity of the ongoing investigations and legal proceedings. The case unfolds, with significant implications for Delhi’s political landscape and governance.
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