Interim Bail for Arvind Kejriwal
On July 12, 2024, the Supreme Court granted interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a money laundering case initiated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) concerning the now-abandoned Delhi Excise policy. Despite this, Kejriwal will remain in Tihar Jail due to a separate arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) over alleged corruption linked to the liquor policy scam.
Legal Questions Referred to Larger Bench
A Bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta noted that certain legal issues arising from Kejriwal’s challenge to his arrest by the ED need to be addressed by a larger Bench. The Court acknowledged the influential position of Kejriwal as an elected leader and the Chief Minister of Delhi while granting interim relief.
Allegations and Arguments
The ED presented evidence of funds being channeled to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) through hawala networks, asserting Kejriwal’s role as the “kingpin” and “key conspirator” in the alleged scam. Conversely, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, argued that the evidence cited by the ED was absent at the time of his arrest.
Appeal Against High Court Verdict
The Supreme Court appeal was filed against a Delhi High Court ruling that upheld Kejriwal’s arrest, citing substantial material evidence, including statements from approvers, the involvement of middlemen, and references to cash used in the 2022 Goa elections. Although a trial court granted bail to Kejriwal on June 20, the High Court stayed his release, allowing the ED more time to argue its case.
Continued Incarceration
Despite the interim bail granted by the Supreme Court, Kejriwal will continue to be held in Tihar Jail due to the CBI’s separate arrest in the corruption case. The ongoing legal proceedings and further investigations will determine the subsequent steps in these high-profile cases.
Sunil Garnayak is an expert in Indian news with extensive knowledge of the nation’s political, social, and economic landscape and international relations. With years of experience in journalism, Sunil delivers in-depth analysis and accurate reporting that keeps readers informed about the latest developments in India. His commitment to factual accuracy and nuanced storytelling ensures that his articles provide valuable insights into the country’s most pressing issues.
