WebDesk National
17 May
Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
The Supreme Court on Thursday defended its decision to grant interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, emphasizing that the ruling was made purely on legal grounds. A bench comprising Justices Sanjeev Khanna and Dipankar Dutta addressed concerns and allegations from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Kejriwal’s legal team regarding the interim bail provided to the AAP national convener.
The bench clarified that the interim bail, allowing Kejriwal to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections, was not a special favor. “We have said in our order what we found to be legally valid,” the judges asserted. The court reiterated that Kejriwal must surrender on June 2, following the conclusion of the voting phase on June 1.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the ED, alleged that Kejriwal violated bail conditions with his public statements. He questioned, “What are they trying to say?” In response, Justice Khanna stated that the court’s order did not prohibit Kejriwal from speaking about the matter. “Our order is very clear about when they have to surrender. The rule of law will follow this order only,” he added.
Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, countered the claims, denying that Kejriwal made any statements suggesting that people must vote for his party to avoid returning to jail. Singhvi referenced an interview with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, indirectly suggesting that the court had shown leniency towards Kejriwal. The bench declined to discuss this issue further but maintained that their decision was based on legal principles.
The apex court was hearing Kejriwal’s appeal against his arrest by the ED in connection with a corruption case linked to the excise scam. The Supreme Court had granted interim bail to Kejriwal on May 10, valid until June 1. Kejriwal was initially arrested on March 21.
The court’s decision to grant interim bail and the subsequent discussions underscore the contentious nature of the case as the Lok Sabha elections approach.