Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been granted interim bail by the Supreme Court until June 1 in connection with a money laundering case related to the Delhi liquor policy. The bail allows Kejriwal to campaign for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, particularly in Delhi and Punjab, where his party, AAP, holds influence. Kejriwal is expected to surrender to prison authorities by June 2.
The Supreme Court's decision comes after a brief hearing on Kejriwal's interim bail plea challenging his arrest in the liquor policy case. The plea aimed to enable his participation in election campaigning.
The Kolkata Police had confirmed that an 'inquiry' would be conducted instead of a full-fledged investigation due to the Governor's constitutional immunity. However, the victim, a contractual woman employee of the governor's house, intends to seek intervention from President Droupadi Murmu.
In another development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is expected to file its first chargesheet against Kejriwal in the liquor policy case, alleging his direct involvement in demanding kickbacks from liquor barons. This will mark the first time Kejriwal is named as an accused in the case.
