The Supreme Court of India on July 12 granted interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam.
Despite this decision, Kejriwal will remain in custody due to a subsequent arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) concerning the same excise policy corruption case.
A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta referred the legality of Kejriwal's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to a larger bench.
The Supreme Court framed three questions concerning the ED's powers and arrest policies, stipulating that Kejriwal’s interim bail would adhere to the conditions set forth in the May 10 order.
Kejriwal was initially detained by the ED on March 21 for money laundering and later arrested by the CBI on June 26 for corruption related to the alleged excise policy scam.
Following the Supreme Court's decision, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) hailed the interim bail, proclaiming "Satyamev Jayate" (truth alone triumphs).
Despite the interim bail, Kejriwal remains in jail due to the CBI’s arrest in the corruption case. AAP, with Kejriwal as their national convenor, celebrated the court's decision on social media, sharing a picture of Kejriwal holding the national flag and reiterating their belief in truth prevailing.
The Supreme Court noted that Kejriwal had already endured over 90 days of incarceration when granting the interim bail.
The allegations against Kejriwal involve corruption and money laundering during the creation and implementation of the Delhi government's excise policy for the fiscal year 2021-22, which has since been revoked.
The matter has attracted significant legal scrutiny and public attention, highlighting the complexities of the case.
Detailed Timeline and Arrests:
March 21: Arvind Kejriwal arrested by the ED in a money laundering case linked to the excise policy scam.
June 26: Kejriwal arrested by the CBI in a related corruption case.
July 14: Supreme Court grants interim bail to Kejriwal in the money laundering case but he remains in custody due to the CBI arrest.
The Supreme Court has referred key questions about the ED's arrest policies to a larger bench for further examination.
The court emphasized the need to balance legal protocols with the rights of individuals, especially in cases involving prolonged detention without conclusive evidence of wrongdoing.
The apex court's decision to grant interim bail reflects its consideration of Kejriwal's extensive time already spent in detention.
The ongoing legal proceedings have significant implications for Delhi's political landscape and the broader public discourse on corruption and accountability in government policies.
The AAP's response underscores the party's stance on the judicial process and their continued support for Kejriwal amidst the legal challenges.
The case remains under close scrutiny, with further developments expected as the larger bench addresses the questions raised by the Supreme Court regarding the ED's authority and procedures in handling such high-profile cases.
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