New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday afternoon gave Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal interim bail till June 1, the final phase of voting for the seven-stage 2024 Lok Sabha election.
The Aam Aadmi Party boss - arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 in the alleged Delhi liquor excise policy scam, and now in the city's Tihar Jail - must surrender to prison officials by June 2.
The court also said pleas to extend relief beyond that date would be heard next week; Mr Kejriwal's legal team had sought bail till July, i.e., till after the election and the formation of the new government.
Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister of Delhi challenged
his arrest, arguing that it was illegal. The Directorate of Enforcement
maintained the legality of the arrest, citing ongoing investigations and
charges against Kejriwal – This court considered the significance of the
ongoing 18th Lok Sabha General Elections and the legal issues surrounding
Kejriwal’s arrest – It noted the peculiar circumstances of the case, including
Kejriwal’s position as Chief Minister and the absence of criminal antecedents -
The court emphasized the importance of free and fair elections and considered
the power to grant interim bail, exercising a holistic view - Interim bail granted
to Arvind Kejriwal until June 1, 2024, on specific terms and conditions - Directed
to surrender on June 2, 2024 - The decision is not indicative of the case’s
merits, and the grant of interim bail is subject to various restrictions,
including refraining from visiting his office, not commenting on the case, and
avoiding interaction with witnesses or accessing official files related to the
case.