 |
|
The Supreme Court on Tuesday indicated that it may consider granting interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is currently lodged in Tihar Jail in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case.
A two-judge bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta made the remarks while hearing a petition filed by Kejriwal challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21.
The bench observed that this was an "extraordinary case" as Kejriwal is the sitting Chief Minister of Delhi and needs to campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
However, the ED opposed the court's suggestion, arguing that it would set a "wrong precedent" and that politicians should not be given special treatment compared to ordinary citizens.
The court then asked senior lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo, to respond to the issues raised by the ED.
Singhvi argued that Kejriwal should be released on interim bail as he is not a habitual offender and the elections are held once in five years.
The court also questioned the ED about the delay in questioning and probing Kejriwal, and asked for the files before and after his arrest.
The ED explained that Kejriwal's role in the case emerged during the investigation and that it takes time to gather evidence.
The court's hearing came days after it had indicated on May 3 that it may decide to grant interim bail to Kejriwal due to the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
Kejriwal had approached the Supreme Court after his petition challenging his arrest was rejected by the Delhi High Court on April 9.
The AAP national convenor's petition alleges that his arrest was "motivated" and based on "contradictory" and "belated" statements of co-accused who have turned approvers.
The petition seeks Kejriwal's release and a declaration that his arrest was "illegal".
Source: Arvind Kejriwal is Chief Minister, polls nearing, extraordinary case: Top court