Delhi Excise Case: Arvind Kejriwal’ Judicial Custody Extended till May 20; SC Calls ‘Delay’ In ED Investigation Process

Delhi court extends judicial custody of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal till May 20. The Supreme Court, while considering Arvind Kejriwal’s petition regarding his arrest in the Delhi liquor policy case, raised questions on Tuesday about the “delay” in the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) investigation into the matter. Meanwhile, the agency opposed the court’s suggestion of potentially granting interim bail to the Delhi chief minister, arguing that it would establish an undesirable precedent.

A bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta also requested the agency to present case files both before and after the arrest of former Delhi minister Manish Sisodia, who has been in custody since February 2023.

The Supreme Court pointed out that the Enforcement Directorate took two years to uncover certain aspects. It also questioned why specific pertinent questions were not posed to witnesses and accused individuals in the Delhi liquor policy case.

Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, representing the ED, stated in response that Arvind Kejriwal was not the primary focus of the investigation. However, he noted that Kejriwal’s involvement became more apparent as the investigation progressed.

According to the source, Raju mentioned that during the 2022 Goa Assembly polls, Kejriwal stayed in a seven-star hotel, and part of the bills were purportedly covered by the Delhi government’s general administration department.

The Supreme Court indicated that it would deliberate on arguments regarding granting bail to Kejriwal until the Lok Sabha elections are ongoing, acknowledging the exceptional circumstances. “We can’t overlook that general elections are taking place. It’s an extraordinary situation,” the court remarked.

In response, the agency highlighted that there are approximately 5000 cases involving members of parliament nationwide. “Will all of them be granted bail?” it questioned.

The Enforcement Directorate emphasized that granting interim bail to Kejriwal would establish an undesirable precedent. It underscored that in matters of criminal prosecution, a politician does not possess greater rights than an ordinary citizen.

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 and is presently held in judicial custody at Delhi’s Tihar Jail. Kejriwal approached the Supreme Court after the Delhi High Court upheld his arrest, citing his failure to cooperate with the ED’s probe.