Supreme Court Grants Interim Bail to Delhi CM Kejriwal in Excise Policy Case

The Supreme Court has granted interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case initiated by the Enforcement Directorate. Justice Sanjiv Khanna's bench has referred his arrest challenge to a larger bench. Kejriwal will remain in custody due to pending CBI bail.

The Supreme Court on Friday granted interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). A bench led by Justice Sanjiv Khanna has referred Kejriwal's petition challenging his arrest by the ED to a larger bench.

While granting interim bail, the Supreme Court noted that Kejriwal has been incarcerated for 90 days and recognized his status as an elected leader. Kejriwal's lawyer, Rishikesh Kumar, labeled the decision a 'big victory.'

'The Supreme Court has granted him interim bail, and the issues regarding Section 19 and the necessity of arrest have been referred to a larger bench. CM Kejriwal will remain in custody as his bail in the CBI case is still pending. This is a big victory,' Kumar told ANI. Supreme Court lawyer Shadan Farasat, representing Kejriwal, added that the court observed significant aspects related to the necessity of his arrest, and directed his immediate release in the ED matter.

The apex court had reserved its verdict on Kejriwal's plea on May 17. On May 10, the court granted interim bail to Kejriwal until June 1 in the money laundering case related to the Delhi Excise Policy, but prohibited him from visiting the Office of the Chief Minister and the Delhi Secretariat.

The court instructed him to surrender on June 2, which he did. In his appeal, Kejriwal argued that his arrest post-General Elections announcement was 'motivated by extraneous considerations.' Earlier, on April 9, the High Court dismissed Kejriwal's plea for release and rejected his claim of political vendetta, emphasizing his non-compliance with nine ED summons over six months.

Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21 as part of a money laundering investigation linked to alleged irregularities in the now-cancelled Delhi excise policy 2021-22.