The Supreme Court granted interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday in a money laundering case related to the alleged excise policy scam. Despite this, Kejriwal will remain in jail because the CBI arrested him in a separate corruption case connected to the same excise policy scam.
A bench of Justices Sanjv Khanna and Dipankar Datta referred the questions about the legality of his arrest in the Enforcement Directorate (ED) case to a larger bench. The court framed three questions related to the ED's power and policy of arrest and said Kejriwal would be released on interim bail according to the conditions set in the May 10 order. Kejriwal was initially arrested by the ED on March 21 in the money laundering case and then by the CBI on June 26 in the corruption case.
The issue involves alleged corruption and money laundering in creating and implementing the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22, which has now been scrapped.
The court did not rule on demands that Kejriwal be forced to step down from his position, noting, "We are doubtful whether a court can direct an elected leader to step down... or not function as a Chief Minister or Minister." The court acknowledged Kejriwal's position and influence, stating, "We are conscious Arvind Kejriwal is an elected leader and the Chief Minister of Delhi... a post holding importance and influence. We do not give any direction... as we are doubtful if a court can direct an elected leader to step down, or not to function as a Chief Minister or a Minister."
The Supreme Court left the decision to Kejriwal, saying, "(But) we leave it to Arvind Kejriwal to make the call.”
