Delhi Court Dismisses Arvind Kejriwal's Interim Bail Plea In Excise Policy Case, Extends Judicial Custody Till June 19

Kejriwal was seeking interim bail of seven days beyond June 1, stating that he has to undergo a PET-CT scan and other tests.

Special Judge Kaveri Baweja of Rouse Avenue Court passed the order. The Court directed the Tihar jail authorities to take care of Kejriwal's medical needs in judicial custody. The Court also extended Kejriwal's judicial custody till June 19.

On June 1, the Court had reserved the order, observing that the application was for the grant of interim bail on medical grounds and not for the extension of the interim bail granted by the Supreme Court.

Kejriwal's interim relief granted by the Apex Court ended on June 1,i.e. today and he surrendered before Tihar Jail on June 2.

Last week, the Registry of the Apex Court had refused urgent listing of Kejriwal's plea seeking interim bail. Earlier last week, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi had mentioned Kejriwal's plea seeking extension of his interim bail by 7 days on medical grounds.

While not allowing urgent listing of the matter, the Vacation Bench had stated that it will refer the matter to the Chief Justice. "The said matter has already been heard and reserved. It would be appropriate to place the Application before the Hon'ble the Chief Justice for appropriate orders," the Bench had remarked.

On May 10, the Bench of Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Datta had granted Interim Bail to the Delhi Chief Minister till June 1. On May 7, the Bench had clarified that, if it releases Kejriwal on bail, it does not want him to perform official duties.

Earlier, the Court had observed that it may consider granting interim bail to Kejriwal on account of elections. On April 29, the Bench had asked the Senior Counsel appearing for the Delhi CM, "Why have you not filed any Application For bail?"

Previously, the Enforcement Directorate had filed an extensive affidavit-in-reply to the Special Leave Petition by the Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, assailing the order passed by the Delhi High Court upholding the arrest and remand in the money laundering case. In its reply, the ED had alleged that Arvind Kejriwal is the kingpin and key conspirator in the Delhi Liquor Policy Excise Scam, responsible for the mass destruction of evidence, and the main facilitator of the new policy for the bribe givers.

The ED had earlier, stated in its affidavit that there are reasons to believe, based on material in possession, that Kejriwal is guilty of the offence of money laundering. The ED had also made a comparative table to demonstrate the changes made that were allegedly arbitrary and irrational, made only to ensure large-scale profits to the bribe givers. It was also stated by the ED that Arvind Kejriwal was asked to provide the password to his mobile phones again and again, but he refused to share the same and even his statements during custody would reveal that despite being confronted with materials, the petitioner chose to give completely evasive answers.

Cause Title: Arvind Kejriwal v. Directorate of Enforcement