The Supreme Court of India has denied interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the ongoing CBI investigation into the alleged excise policy scam. The court, led by Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan, issued a notice to the CBI and scheduled the matter for a detailed hearing on August 23.
Senior Advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, sought interim bail on health grounds. However, the court declined, stating, “No interim bail for now.” Singhvi argued that Kejriwal’s arrest by the CBI occurred just before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) judgment was to be delivered, emphasizing health concerns as the basis for the interim bail request.
Kejriwal was initially arrested by the ED on March 21, 2024, in relation to the now-scrapped liquor policy of the Delhi government. The CBI later arrested him on related charges. The Delhi High Court had earlier upheld Kejriwal’s arrest, noting that it was conducted lawfully, with sufficient evidence collected by the CBI. The High Court had also dismissed allegations of malice by the central agency.
Kejriwal’s legal team had approached the Supreme Court after the Delhi High Court rejected his bail plea on August 5. The Supreme Court had previously granted him interim bail in the ED case on July 12.
The Supreme Court’s decision to deny interim bail keeps Kejriwal’s legal battle ongoing as the matter awaits further deliberation on August 23.
