SC Directs Arvind Kejriwal Not To Make Any Public Comments On CBI Case; Notices Recent Tendency Of Building Self-Serving Narrative On Public Platforms

The Supreme Court today, while granting bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the corruption case related to the excise policy scam, directed him not to make any public comments on the merits of the CBI case, till it is subjudice before the Trial Court. 

The Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan emphasized, "This condition is necessitated to dissuade a recent tendency of building a self-serving narrative on public platforms."

However, the Court clarified that this shall not preclude the appellant from raising all his contentions before the trial court. Further, the Court said, "The terms and conditions imposed by a coordinate bench of this Court vide orders dated 10.05.2024 and 12.07.2024 passed in Criminal Appeal No. 2493/2024, titled Arvind Kejriwal v. Directorate of Enforcement, are imposed mutatis mutandis in the present case."

Additionally, the Court directed Kejriwal to fully cooperate with the Trial Court for expeditious conclusion of the trial proceedings and remain present before it on each and every date of hearing, unless granted exemption. 

Although Justice Bhuyan expressed "serious reservations" on the conditions imposed on Kejriwal in clauses (b) and (c), which debars him from entering the office of Chief Minister and the Delhi Secretariat as well as from signing files. "Having regard to judicial discipline, I would refrain from further expressing my views thereon at this stage since those conditions have been imposed in the separate ED case by a two judge bench of this Court," Justice Bhuyan said. 

Conclusively, the Bench ordered, "In view of the separate order passed by Hon’ble Mr.Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, however, there being a concurrent opinion that the appellant is entitled to be released on bail, subject to the terms and conditions mentioned in para 47 of the order, authored by Hon’ble Mr.Justice Surya Kant, the Criminal Appeal challenging the legality of arrest (arising out of SLP(Crl.)No.10991/2024 is dismissed, the Criminal Appeal arising out of SLP(Crl.)No.11023/2024 is allowed and while setting aside the impugned judgment of the High Court dated 05.08.2024."

Cause Title: Arvind Kejriwal v. Central Bureau of Investigation [Neutral Citation No. 2024 INSC 687] 

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