Supreme Court Rejects Arvind Kejriwal’s Interim Bail in CBI Arrest Case

The Supreme Court of India has denied interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the corruption case related to the alleged excise policy scam. The case, which has garnered significant media attention, involves accusations of irregularities and corruption linked to the now-scrapped liquor policy of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the national capital.

In a recent hearing, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan issued a notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in response to Kejriwal’s plea, challenging his arrest and requesting bail. The court has scheduled the next hearing for August 23, 2024, making it clear that no interim relief would be granted before this date.

Arvind Kejriwal, who has already secured bail in a related case involving the Enforcement Directorate (ED), was arrested by the ED on March 21, 2024. The arrest by the CBI followed shortly after, as the central probe agencies alleged that undue favours were extended to liquor license holders under the revised excise policy.

The Delhi High Court had earlier upheld the legality of Kejriwal’s arrest, rejecting his challenge on August 5, 2024. The High Court noted that the CBI had acted without malice and had gathered sufficient evidence before proceeding with the arrest. The court dismissed Kejriwal’s claims of persecution and harassment, emphasizing that the arrest was based on credible evidence.

The Supreme Court’s decision to deny interim bail to Kejriwal has intensified the ongoing legal battle. The CBI has argued that the Delhi Chief Minister could potentially influence witnesses, who might only feel safe to testify after his arrest. Kejriwal’s legal team, led by senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, contends that the arrest is politically motivated and aimed at stifling opposition voices.

This case follows the recent granting of bail to Manish Sisodia, a senior AAP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, who was also arrested in connection with the same excise policy scam. Sisodia spent 17 months in jail before the Supreme Court granted him bail.

The controversy surrounding the excise policy has been a major point of contention between the AAP government and the central authorities. The policy was originally implemented to increase revenue and streamline the liquor industry in Delhi, but it was abruptly scrapped following allegations of corruption. The Delhi Lieutenant Governor ordered a CBI investigation, leading to the arrests of several AAP leaders.

The next hearing on August 23, 2024, will be crucial in determining the future course of this high-profile case.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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