[Breaking] Delhi Excise Policy Case: Arvind Kejriwal Moves Delhi Court For Regular Bail

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Today, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal sought regular bail in the Delhi liquor excise policy case by moving the Rouse Avenue court. The court is expected to address the matter at 2 PM today.

[Breaking] Delhi Excise Policy Case: Arvind Kejriwal Seeks Regular Bail in Delhi Court

NEW DELHI: Today, May 30th: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal sought regular bail in the Delhi liquor excise policy case by moving the Rouse Avenue court. The court is expected to address the matter at 2 PM today.

Previously, Kejriwal had approached the Supreme Court, challenging his March arrest by the Enforcement Directorate. The court granted him a 21-day interim bail earlier this month to allow him to campaign in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. He was ordered to surrender to the police by June 2, the day after the elections concluded.

This week, Kejriwal petitioned the Supreme Court for an extension of his interim bail. However, the court declined an urgent listing of his plea. The court’s office explained that since Kejriwal had the option to seek regular bail from the trial court, his petition for an extension was not maintainable.

A vacation bench of the Supreme Court stated that Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud could decide on listing the interim plea. Kejriwal had argued that he needed a seven-day extension to undergo several medical tests, including a PET-CT scan, due to “sudden and unexplained weight loss coupled with high ketone levels.”

He expressed concerns that his symptoms could indicate kidney issues, serious cardiac ailments, or even cancer.

Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 amid accusations that he was involved in a conspiracy to intentionally introduce flaws into the now-defunct Delhi Excise Policy for 2021–22, allegedly to favor certain liquor vendors.

It is also alleged that kickbacks from these liquor vendors were used to finance the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) electoral efforts in Goa.

In the same case, other AAP leaders, including the former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia, and Member of Parliament Sanjay Singh (who is currently out on bail), were also arrested.

Kejriwal was in custody until May 10, when the Supreme Court granted him interim bail to participate in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. This interim release followed a plea by Kejriwal contesting his arrest and detention by the ED. The Supreme Court has not yet issued a final decision on this primary appeal.

Kejriwal recently submitted a request to the Supreme Court for a one-week extension of his interim bail on medical grounds. However, the Supreme Court registrar did not schedule the matter for an immediate hearing, and it remains pending before the court.

Meanwhile, Kejriwal has accused the ED of conducting an extortion racket, even as he asserts his own innocence. Additionally, the ED has recently named the AAP itself as an accused in the money laundering case linked to this issue.