In a blow to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Supreme Court has deferred a decision on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's interim bail plea in a case related to the excise policy. The court indicated it would either conclude the matter the following day or schedule it for the next week. During the hearing, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) informed the court that during the 2022 Goa polls, Kejriwal stayed in a luxury hotel, partially funded by the Delhi government. Kejriwal's representatives assured the court that he would not handle any excise policy-related files if granted bail, but the court expressed reluctance, preferring that Kejriwal refrain from official duties if released temporarily.
However, the court acknowledged Kejriwal's status as an elected leader and recognized his need to campaign for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, representing the ED, presented a note contradicting Kejriwal's claim that the agency had suppressed statements of approvers.
Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 in connection with a money laundering probe into the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam. The AAP has accused the BJP-led Centre of targeting Kejriwal ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, with Kejriwal's wife, Sunita, reiterating the party's stance during a recent roadshow, decrying what she labeled as "dictatorship" and urging voters to cast their ballots despite the challenges.
Notably, Kejriwal has been listed as one of AAP's star campaigners for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The case highlights the intersection of legal proceedings and electoral politics, underscoring the stakes involved for both Kejriwal and his party as they navigate the legal and political landscapes simultaneously.
