The Supreme Court is set to announce its decision regarding the interim bail plea of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection to a money laundering case linked to an alleged excise policy scam. The verdict, expected on May 10, follows a series of hearings where Justice Sanjiv Khanna, leading the bench overseeing Kejriwal's petition against his arrest, stated, "We will pronounce the interim order (on interim bail) on Friday."
Kejriwal, arrested on March 21 and currently detained in Tihar Jail, seeks interim bail to campaign during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The bench, which had previously reserved its verdict, considered arguments from both sides, including senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi representing Kejriwal and Additional Solicitor General S V Raju representing the Enforcement Directorate.
The case presents a dual focus for the court: firstly, addressing Kejriwal's challenge against his arrest, and secondly, deliberating on the interim bail request amidst electoral proceedings. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, advocating for the Enforcement Directorate, vehemently opposed any leniency towards Kejriwal, asserting that granting him bail would create a separate category for politicians.
The court's decision carries significant weight, as it will determine Kejriwal's immediate fate in the legal proceedings and potentially impact his political activities. While a Delhi court recently extended Kejriwal's judicial custody until May 20, the Delhi High Court had earlier upheld his arrest, citing his repeated non-compliance with summonses from the Enforcement Directorate. The court deemed the agency's actions as justified, given Kejriwal's evasion of investigative procedures.
As the nation awaits the Supreme Court's ruling, the outcome will likely shape the trajectory of both the legal battle and the political landscape surrounding Arvind Kejriwal, a prominent figure in Indian politics.
