The Supreme Court of India is set to deliver a critical judgment on Friday regarding the bail petition of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who faces charges in a high-profile corruption case related to the alleged liquor policy scam.
The judgment will address Kejriwal’s request for bail as well as a separate plea challenging his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the subsequent remand. Justice Surya Kant will lead a two-judge bench that will announce the decision at 10:30 a.m., and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan will also issue a separate opinion on the matter.
CBI’s Arrest Of Kejriwal
Last week, the bench heard arguments from senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, and Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, who appeared on behalf of the CBI. Singhvi argue that the CBI’s arrest of Kejriwal, after a two-year period without action, appear to be a hasty measure intend to prevent his release in a related money laundering case. Singhvi maintained that Kejriwal, holding the office of Delhi Chief Minister, met the criteria for bail, emphasizing that he was not a flight risk, would cooperate with the investigation, and could not tamper with substantial evidence.
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Conversely, ASG Raju contended that releasing Kejriwal on bail could jeopardize ongoing investigations by turning witnesses hostile. Raju challenged the procedural legitimacy of Kejriwal’s bail plea and asserted that the trial court, not the Delhi High Court, should have addressed it. He further noted that the arrest followed a court order, which, according to the ASG, precluded claims of fundamental rights violations.
Recent bail decisions by the Supreme Court in similar cases, including those involving senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia and BRS leader K. Kavitha, have added context to the current deliberation. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader has filed a special leave petition to overturn his arrest and secure bail, arguing that the authorities have politically motivated his detention and that he has satisfied existing court orders.
Party Decisions
The CBI has argued that Kejriwal’s arrest and subsequent remand are justified, asserting that his role in the government and party decisions necessitates his continued detention. The agency claimed that despite his lack of a ministerial portfolio, Kejriwal’s influence extends to AAP’s activities nationwide.
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court granted Kejriwal interim bail in a related money laundering case, but the CBI’s subsequent arrest prevented his release. Meanwhile, a Delhi court extended Kejriwal’s judicial custody until September 25, following his video-conferenced appearance from Tihar Jail.
Friday’s ruling will attract close scrutiny as it could significantly impact the ongoing investigation and political landscape.
