Image Source: ANI
The Delhi High Court is poised to deliver its verdict on Tuesday regarding the Enforcement Directorate’s appeal to halt a trial court’s decision granting bail to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a case related to a defunct excise policy and allegations of money laundering. The matter came before a vacation bench led by Justice Sudhir Kumar Jain, which after hearing arguments on June 21, reserved its decision. Pending the final verdict, the bench had earlier issued an interim stay on Kejriwal’s bail.
Arrested on March 21 by the ED, Kejriwal secured bail last Thursday from the trial court’s vacation judge, Nyay Bindu, upon submitting a bail bond of ₹1 lakh. The ED criticized the trial court’s ruling, describing it as biased and erroneous.
Kejriwal subsequently sought relief from the Supreme Court after the high court’s stay postponed his release pending its final decision on the ED’s appeal. In a hearing on Sunday, a Supreme Court vacation bench acknowledged that decisions on stay orders are typically made promptly and not prematurely. The bench deferred further action until June 26 to avoid prejudging the high court’s decision.
During the hearing, Kejriwal’s counsel, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, urged the Supreme Court to lift the temporary stay on the bail order, emphasizing that Kejriwal posed no flight risk. Singhvi pointed out that earlier, the high court had stayed Kejriwal’s bail on the ED’s request without a full hearing, underscoring the need for parity.
Previously, Kejriwal had obtained interim bail from the Supreme Court on May 10 to participate in electoral campaigning, with conditions including surrender by June 2 and restrictions on visiting his office. The current legal tussle underscores the complex interplay between judicial processes, executive responsibilities, and the rule of law in high-profile cases involving public figures.
