No interim bail has been granted yet to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case. The Supreme Court stated that it might continue hearing his plea for bail on May 9, 2024.
During the hearing, Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta emphasized that Mr. Kejriwal, as the elected Chief Minister of Delhi, is not a habitual criminal. They remarked that the situation is extraordinary due to the once-in-five-years occurrence of general elections.
“We are not saying politicians form a different class or has to be treated differently. Every person would have their own individual, exceptional circumstances,” the Bench observed.
The court is contemplating granting interim bail to Mr. Kejriwal due to the elections, with the stipulation that he cannot fulfill official duties.
“We do not want any interference in the working of the government in any way,” Justice Khanna asserted.
“We thought or are considering giving you interim bail is because of the elections. Otherwise, we would have heard arguments, reserved the judgment and pronounced it after vacations,” Justice Datta conveyed to Mr. Kejriwal’s lawyer.
However, the Enforcement Directorate opposed the granting of bail to Mr. Kejriwal, asserting that it would send the wrong message to the common man, especially considering Mr. Kejriwal’s repeated evasion of summons.
While acknowledging that Mr. Kejriwal is not a hardened criminal, Justice Khanna clarified that the court scrutinizes the potential for misuse or the individual’s criminal history when considering interim bail.
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