The Supreme Court of India has declined to grant interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the ongoing corruption case related to the alleged excise policy scam. The case, being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), centers around accusations of irregularities and corruption in the formulation and implementation of the Delhi excise policy.
Kejriwal had challenged the Delhi High Court’s decision to uphold his arrest in the Supreme Court. The High Court had previously ruled in favor of the CBI, finding no malice in their actions and noting that the CBI had demonstrated how Kejriwal’s influence could have deterred witnesses from coming forward before his arrest.
The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan, issued a notice to the CBI in response to Kejriwal’s appeal. However, they declined to grant interim bail, stating that they would issue a notice for further proceedings. The matter is scheduled for a hearing on August 23rd.
The controversy surrounding the excise policy began in 2022, leading to the policy’s cancellation following a CBI probe initiated by the Delhi lieutenant governor. The CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have alleged that irregularities occurred in the modification of the excise policy, suggesting that undue favors were extended to license holders.
The Supreme Court’s decision is a significant development in this high-profile case and its implications for the ongoing investigation and political landscape in Delhi remain to be seen.
