In a significant development, the Supreme Court of India has granted bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the ongoing Delhi Excise Policy case. The decision was delivered on Friday after weeks of legal proceedings and arguments presented by both Kejriwal’s legal team and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Supreme Court Ruling
The apex court had reserved its verdict on September 5, following detailed hearings from both sides. The case revolves around the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy for 2021-22, which was alleged to have irregularities that led to money laundering investigations. Kejriwal had been arrested earlier this year in connection with the case, first by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in March and subsequently by the CBI in June while already in ED custody.
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing the CBI, objected to Kejriwal’s approach to seeking bail. Raju argued that the Delhi CM bypassed the trial court and directly sought bail from the Delhi High Court, eventually escalating the matter to the Supreme Court.
Background of the Case
Kejriwal’s legal troubles began with allegations of corruption and irregularities in the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, which was later scrapped by the Delhi government. The policy was aimed at restructuring Delhi’s liquor distribution system, but accusations of favoring certain private entities surfaced, leading to a probe by the ED and CBI under charges of money laundering and corruption.
The CBI claimed that Kejriwal played a key role in the alleged manipulation of the excise policy, which resulted in financial benefits to select liquor traders. In response, Kejriwal’s defense team maintained that the accusations were politically motivated and lacked substantive evidence.
Kejriwal’s Arrest and Legal Battle
The Delhi Chief Minister was arrested by the ED on March 21, 2024, as part of a larger money laundering investigation connected to the case. Following this, on June 26, the CBI took Kejriwal into custody while he was already in ED’s custody. His legal team has since been fighting for his release, arguing that the charges were baseless and part of a broader political vendetta.
Kejriwal, who has consistently denied all allegations, contended that the case against him was an attempt to disrupt his leadership and governance in Delhi. His party, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has echoed these claims, labeling the case a politically charged move by the central government.
Legal Proceedings and Bail
After approaching the Delhi High Court for bail, Kejriwal’s case moved to the Supreme Court, where the decision to grant bail was finally made. The SC’s ruling has brought relief to Kejriwal and his supporters, marking a critical moment in the ongoing legal proceedings. The court overruled the CBI’s objection that Kejriwal should have first approached the trial court for bail.
The Supreme Court’s decision means that Kejriwal will now be free while the trial proceeds, though the charges against him remain in place. This ruling is seen as a major victory for Kejriwal, who has faced a turbulent few months amidst the ongoing investigations.
What’s Next?
While Kejriwal’s bail offers temporary relief, the case is far from over. The investigation into the alleged irregularities in the Delhi Excise Policy continues, with both the ED and CBI actively involved in uncovering the truth.
Kejriwal’s legal team is expected to continue challenging the charges, and the Delhi CM will now focus on resuming his administrative duties and managing the political fallout from the case. His supporters are optimistic that this ruling will help clear his name, while critics argue that the bail decision is only a temporary respite in a much larger legal battle.
As the case progresses, it remains to be seen how the legal proceedings will unfold and what impact this will have on Kejriwal’s political career and governance in Delhi.