The Supreme Court is considering granting interim bail to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal due to the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, with further proceedings scheduled for May 7.
During a recent hearing, the Supreme Court directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to respond to queries, including the timing of Kejriwal’s arrest before the elections. The court emphasized the significance of “life and liberty” and sought clarification on the timing of Kejriwal’s arrest in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. Kejriwal was arrested on March 21, shortly after the announcement of the 2024 Lok Sabha election schedule.
Senior Advocate A M Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, highlighted the time gap between the start of proceedings and the arrest during the court session. The court also raised concerns about the repeated filing of complaints after a delay. Justice Khanna noted, “life and liberty are exceedingly important” and pointed out discrepancies regarding the initiation of proceedings and subsequent complaints.
The case revolves around alleged kickbacks received by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its leaders during the implementation of the now-defunct 2021-22 Delhi excise policy. The Supreme Court’s decision on interim bail for Kejriwal is eagerly awaited as the legal proceedings continue amidst the electoral backdrop.