In a significant development, the Supreme Court has granted interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for a period of 21 days. The Court’s decision allows Arvind Kejriwal, also the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), to surrender on June 2, a day following the conclusion of the seven-phased Lok Sabha elections.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court expressed dissatisfaction over the delay in the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta highlighted the agency’s failure to act promptly despite registering an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) in August 2022. Kejriwal was eventually arrested in March, a considerable time after the initiation of legal proceedings.
Justice Khanna remarked, “For about one and half years he was there… The arrest could have been made afterward or before. “Whether it’s 21 days sooner or later, it should not impact the proceedings.”
Arvind Kejriwal’s request for release from jail was motivated by his desire to actively campaign during the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. He was arrested on March 21 by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering case related to the alleged liquor policy scam. Presently, Kejriwal is detained in Tihar jail under judicial custody.
The Supreme Court’s decision to grant interim bail underscores the importance of expeditious legal proceedings and the need for timely action by investigative agencies. As the legal process unfolds, the case of Arvind Kejriwal continues to attract attention, highlighting the intersection of law, politics, and governance in India.
