The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, conveyed to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s legal team that he would be prohibited from performing official duties should he be granted interim bail in the Excise Police case. This decision aims to prevent any potential conflicts of interest during his bail period, especially given the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
The court highlighted the exceptional nature of the circumstances, given Kejriwal’s role as the elected Chief Minister amidst the elections, and expressed its intention to avoid any interference in governmental operations. “If it were not for the elections, we would not consider any interim relief,” the court noted.
The Supreme Court is set to resume deliberations on Kejriwal’s bail at 2:00 pm today, with a decision on the interim bail possibly being made shortly thereafter.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Enforcement Directorate (ED), voiced concerns over the fairness of the proceedings, questioning the appropriateness of setting a precedent that might seem to favor high-ranking officials over ordinary citizens. “Are other people less important than the Chief Minister?” Mehta posed, emphasizing the need for equality before the law regardless of one’s position.
Mehta also referenced Kejriwal’s previous avoidance of summons and his stay at the Grand Hyatt hotel during the 2022 Goa Assembly elections, which was allegedly funded by an AAP campaign contributor, to argue against any special treatment for the Chief Minister.
The ED stressed to the Supreme Court that their investigation is based on solid evidence and is not influenced by political considerations. They highlighted that this case concerns allegations of money laundering linked to irregularities in the now-defunct Delhi excise policy.
Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 and is currently held in Tihar Jail under judicial custody as the case proceedings continue.
