New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been granted interim bail by the Supreme Court in a money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam. This decision came after Kejriwal had spent 90 days in custody.
Despite this relief, Kejriwal will remain in Tihar Jail due to a separate arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on corruption charges related to the same scandal. The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta, referred Kejriwal’s petition challenging his Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrest to a larger bench for further examination.
The court underscored that mere interrogation should not result in automatic arrest, stressing the importance of fundamental rights. Justice Khanna remarked, “Given the gravity of the situation and pending a decision from the larger bench, we direct the release of Arvind Kejriwal on interim bail.”
However, the court noted that the terms of the interim bail could be subject to changes based on future proceedings before the larger bench. The justices recognized Kejriwal’s extended detention and affirmed his right to decide whether to continue in his elected office.
This legal development is a crucial juncture in Kejriwal’s ongoing legal battles, addressing complex issues of arrest, bail, and the constitutional rights of elected officials amidst continuing investigations.