Supreme Court To Pass Interim Order On Arvind Kejriwal's Bail On Friday In Excise Policy Case

Arvind Kejriwal's Interim Bail Update: Supreme Court is likely to pass an order on Arvind Kejriwal’s interim bail on Friday. Kejriwal is currently lodged in Tihar jail in the Delhi Excise policy case.

The Supreme Court of India today said that it will pass an interim order on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's bail plea on Friday. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court did not pass any order on interim bail for Arvind Kejriwal in the Delhi Excise Policy case. Kejriwal is currently lodged in Tihar jail following his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate.

Arvind Kejriwal has moved the SC challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in the excise policy case. While hearing the bail plea argument of both sides, the Supreme Court highlighted that if the court decides to allow interim bail, then Kejriwal cannot perform his official duties as the Chief Minister. The bench told this to senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi who was representing the Chief Minister in the court.

The Supreme Court also said that had there been no elections, then it would not have granted any interim relief to the Chief Minister. "We do not want interference at all in the working of the government," said the Court.

However, the ED opposed the bail claim and the top court's observation. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for the ED said that an interim bail will set a wrong example. "What example are we setting? Are other people less important than the Chief Minister?" he argued. Mehta further said that there can't be any deviation only because Kejriwal is the Chief Minister and asked if the Supreme Court is carving out exceptions for politicians?

"How can a Chief Minister be treated differently than an 'Aam Aadmi.' There can't be any deviation only because he is a Chief Minister," Mehta argued.

The ED arrested Arvind Kejriwal on March 21 in connection with a money laundering probe relating to alleged irregularities in the now scrapped Delhi excise policy. Kejriwal had skipped nine summons by the ED in connection with the case and had even approached the Delhi High Court seeking no coerceive action against him.