The Supreme Court of India has reserved its judgment on the petitions filed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal seeking release from custody in connection with the ongoing investigation into the Delhi Excise Policy case. The court, comprised of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan, heard arguments from both sides throughout Thursday before announcing its decision to reserve judgment. The Supreme Court is expected to deliver its verdict on Tuesday.
Kejriwal’s legal team has challenged the legality of his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and sought bail in relation to the Delhi Excise Policy case. His arrest by the CBI followed a previous arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in March 2024. Kejriwal’s initial arrest by the ED stemmed from allegations of corruption related to the Delhi Excise Policy, with the Delhi High Court denying his request for interim protection from arrest.
The Supreme Court previously granted Kejriwal interim bail in the money laundering case while referring his petition challenging the ED arrest to a larger bench. However, he remained in judicial custody due to his arrest by the CBI.
Kejriwal is the only prominent political figure currently behind bars in connection with the case. In recent months, several other individuals implicated in the alleged scam have been granted bail by the Supreme Court. These include former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) legislator K Kavitha, and Vijay Nair, the former communication in-charge of the Aam Aadmi Party. Another AAP leader and Rajya Sabha member, Sanjay Singh, was released on bail in April 2024.
The ongoing investigation involves approximately 40 individuals accused of money laundering by the ED and corruption charges filed by the CBI. Five individuals, including Kejriwal, remain in judicial custody awaiting the court’s decision. The Supreme Court’s judgment on Tuesday will have significant implications for the future of the Delhi Excise Policy case and the political landscape in Delhi.