The Supreme Court is poised to address Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's bail plea on Thursday in a high-profile case related to the scrapped excise policy, filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). This hearing marks a critical juncture in the ongoing legal and political saga involving Kejriwal, who is seeking bail after his arrest in connection with allegations of corruption linked to the controversial liquor policy.
The CBI, in its response to the bail plea, has strongly opposed the request, arguing that Kejriwal should not be granted the same consideration as his co-accused due to his significant role in the case. The agency contends that Kejriwal's medical treatment can be adequately managed while he remains in custody, challenging his claims that his health issues necessitate bail on medical grounds. The CBI's stance is that Kejriwal's plea is more about political maneuvering than a legitimate legal argument.
On August 14, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan had denied Kejriwal interim bail, and the case was deferred until September 5 to allow the CBI to file its counter affidavit. The Delhi Chief Minister's legal troubles began when he was first arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21, 2024, about a money laundering investigation. This was followed by his detention by the CBI on June 26 for alleged corruption related to the scrapped excise policy.
Kejriwal had previously secured bail from the Supreme Court in the ED case but remains in custody for the CBI case. The CBI argues that Kejriwal's situation should not be equated with the bail granted to his co-accused. This group includes former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha, and former AAP communications in-charge Vijay Nair, who have all been granted bail by the Supreme Court.
The CBI's submission to the court underscores that adequate medical treatment for Kejriwal can be provided within the Tihar Jail Hospital or its referral facilities, in line with jail regulations. The agency asserts that there has been no substantial evidence presented by Kejriwal to justify his release on medical grounds, maintaining that bail should only be granted if the necessary treatment cannot be provided within the jail system.
The Supreme Court had previously granted bail to Vijay Nair on September 2 in both the money laundering and corruption cases, while K Kavitha received bail on August 27. Manish Sisodia was granted bail on August 9. At present, Kejriwal stands as the only major political figure still in custody related to this case.
The outcome of Thursday's Supreme Court hearing will be highly anticipated, as it has significant implications not only for Kejriwal but also for the broader political context. The legal battle underscores the intersection of law and politics, with Kejriwal's plea being scrutinized in the backdrop of his political role and the ongoing scrutiny of the excise policy scandal.
Â
