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Synopsis

The Rouse Avenue Court, on Saturday, rejected Arvind Kejriwal’s application for an extension of bail for a period of seven days in the liquor excise policy case. 

On Thursday, Arvind Kejriwal had approached the Supreme Court seeking regular bail concerning the now-defunct liquor excise policy. The Supreme Court had granted him a 21-day interim bail to allow his participation in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, with the condition to surrender by June 2, the day after the elections concluded. 

Later, the Supreme Court’s registry dismissed Kejriwal's plea for an extension of his temporary release, stating that his application was inappropriate. A division bench of the Supreme Court further directed Kejriwal to seek regular bail from a trial court. 

ED, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, argued that the trial court lacked the authority to modify the supreme court's order on interim bail. SG Mehta while opposing grant of bail challenged Kejriwal’s health claims, asserting that his reported weight loss was false. Additional Solicitor General SV Raju supported this stance, stating that Kejriwal’s interim bail plea was inadmissible before the trial court and arguing that medical claims were exaggerated.

Senior Advocate N Hariharan representing Kejriwal, emphasized his client's health issues and the necessity for medical tests. Senior Advocate Hariharan refuted the ED's allegations of suppression of facts and reiterated Kejriwal’s right to seek bail under Article 21.

Background:

Kejriwal's arrest occurred on the evening of March 21st subsequent to the high court's denial of protection against coercive measures in a case related to money laundering associated with an excise policy, prompting searches by the ED at the Chief Minister's residence in Delhi.

During a hearing on Kejriwal's plea against the ED's arrest, it was disclosed that personal communications between Kejriwal and Hawala operators had been uncovered. The ED alleged that Kejriwal had demanded Rs 100 crores during the Goa elections, which was subsequently routed through hawala transactions.

Earlier, on May 10th, the Supreme Court had granted interim bail to Kejriwal, permitting him to campaign for the Aam Aadmi Party in the 2024 General Elections. Following this, the ED informed the court that Kejriwal had made derogatory public statements post his release on interim bail. The terms of interim bail stipulated that Kejriwal should refrain from contacting witnesses or accessing official documents related to the case.