Is Arvind Kejriwal Set To Receive Interim Bail? SC To Decide Today

The Supreme Court is anticipated to deliver its judgement today regarding the interim bail plea of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, who was arrested on March 21 by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering case linked to an alleged liquor policy scam. Kejriwal, seeking release from jail to participate in ongoing Lok Sabha election campaigning, awaits the order today while being held in Tihar jail under judicial custody.

The court, consisting of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta, had reserved its decision on Arvind Kejriwal interim bail plea on May 7. The case against Kejriwal unfolds in two parts - one questioning the legality of his arrest by the central probe agency, and the other seeking interim bail amid the election proceedings.

Earlier, the Delhi High Court upheld Kejriwal's arrest on April 9, asserting that there was no illegality as the probe agency had few options after he repeatedly ignored summonses related to alleged irregularities in the now-defunct Delhi excise policy 2021-22.

On Tuesday, a Delhi court extended Kejriwal's judicial custody in the money laundering case until May 20. However, the ED opposes his bail plea, contending that election campaigning is not a fundamental or constitutional right, and granting bail solely for this purpose would establish a problematic precedent.

The ED's affidavit argues against releasing Kejriwal for campaigning, emphasising the equality of laws for all citizens and the potential misuse of interim bail by unscrupulous politicians. The agency highlights that Kejriwal is not even contesting the ongoing elections and asserts that granting him bail would undermine the investigation process.

The Supreme Court's decision in the previous hearing emphasised on the exceptional circumstances related to Kejriwal's plea where he was considered as the elected chief minister of Delhi and not a habitual offender. The court also questioned the delay in the ED's actions against Kejriwal and his party, expressing concern over the prolonged investigative process.

As the legal proceedings for Arvind Kejriwal's interim bail hearing unfold, the Supreme Court's decision will have significant implications, especially in the context of ongoing Lok Sabha elections. With all seven seats in Delhi set to vote in the sixth phase on May 25, the outcome of Kejriwal's bail plea could potentially influence the electoral landscape.