Delhi Liquor Policy Case: CM Kejriwal moves Supreme Court seeking extension of interim bail

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has approached the Supreme Court seeking an extension of the interim bail granted to him in the Delhi Liquor Policy case on May 10.

The Aam Aadmi Party chief, who was released from judicial custody to campaign during the Lok Sabha elections, said that he needs to undergo diagnostic tests, including a PET-CT scan. He is requesting a 7-day extension of this relief.

Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) from his residence on March 21, after the Delhi High Court refused to grant him interim relief earlier that day.

He remained in custody until May 10, when the Supreme Court granted him interim release until June 1, subject to certain conditions.

In ordering Kejriwal’s interim release, the bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta noted that he is an elected Chief Minister and not a threat to society.

The court also observed that the ED investigation had been pending for about 1.5 years before Kejriwal’s arrest, which occurred shortly after elections were notified. The bench took a liberal view given the ongoing general elections, a once-in-five-years event.

Kejriwal moved the Supreme Court on the night of his arrest, but the petition was withdrawn the next day due to a clash with the ED’s application for remand before the Trial Court. Senior Advocate Dr AM Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, mentioned to the Justice Sanjiv Khanna-led bench at the time that Kejriwal would contest the remand and return.

Despite resisting remand, Kejriwal remained in custody. On March 22, the Trial Court remanded him to six days of ED custody, which was later extended by four days.

On April 1, he was remanded to judicial custody until April 15. His custody was extended again until April 23 and then until May 7.

The ED alleges that Kejriwal is the kingpin and key conspirator of the alleged Delhi Liquor Policy scam, with material evidence suggesting his guilt in money laundering.

The agency claims that Kejriwal, as the national convener of AAP, is vicariously liable for the party using Rs 45 crores, part of the proceeds of crime, for the Goa elections.

AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are also accused in the case. While Singh was granted bail by the Supreme Court after the ED conceded, the Delhi High Court recently denied Sisodia’s plea for regular bail in the money laundering and corruption cases, citing misuse of power and breach of public trust. (With inputs from PTI)