Supreme Court Grants Interim Bail to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Providing Temporary Relief Until June 1
Political Reaction Swift as Court Provides Temporary Relief, but Kejriwal Instructed to Surrender on June 2.
New Delhi , 10 May 2024: In a significant turn of events, the Supreme Court of India has granted interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the excise policy case. The apex court’s decision, delivered on Friday, provides temporary relief to Kejriwal until June 1, after which he has been instructed to surrender and return to judicial custody on June 2.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had opposed Kejriwal’s bail plea on the grounds of electioneering, arguing that no precedents supported such interim relief. Despite this opposition, the court deemed that granting Kejriwal interim bail for a period of 21 days would not significantly impact the case.
Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, had pleaded with the court to extend the interim bail until the declaration of election results on June 4. However, the court rejected this request, indicating that the interim relief would cease on June 1.
On Thursday, the ED had filed an affidavit opposing Kejriwal’s bail, contending that no principle justified granting preferential treatment to a politician over individuals such as farmers or businessmen. This stance prompted a response from Kejriwal’s legal team, affirming that there were no restrictions on his election campaigning and expressing intent to secure his release at the earliest.
The news of Kejriwal’s interim bail was met with reactions from various political leaders. Congress leader Pawan Khera welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision, expressing hope for justice for other political figures as well. In a statement, Khera remarked, “Arvind Kejriwal ji has been granted relief from the Supreme Court, and we welcome this decision. After June 4, Narendra Modi will have time to reflect on the type of politics he engages in. We hope that former Chief Minister of Jharkhand Hemant Soren ji will also receive justice soon.“
As the legal proceedings surrounding the excise policy case continue, the granting of interim bail to Arvind Kejriwal has drawn attention both within political circles and among the public, setting the stage for further developments in the days to come.
