On Friday, May 3, the Supreme Court of India, while hearing a plea from Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, hinted at the possibility of considering interim bail for the AAP leader. This development came in light of the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections and the potential delay in the hearing process.
The Hearing
The bench, comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta, spent approximately two hours hearing the arguments. However, due to the complexity of the case, the hearing was adjourned until the following Tuesday, May 7.
Justice Khanna, addressing Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, stated, “It appears we can’t complete today. We will post it on Tuesday morning itself. If it is going to take time, we may then consider the question of interim bail because of the elections.”
The Reaction
ASG Raju, in response, requested the Court to consider the statements made by AAP MP Sanjay Singh after receiving bail from the Supreme Court. He expressed concern over the nature of these statements.
However, Justice Khanna clarified that the Court was merely notifying the ED about the potential consideration of interim bail and was not expressing any opinion on the matter. He added, “We are not commenting on it either way, we may or may not grant.”
The Implications
Justice Khanna also raised the question of whether Kejriwal should continue signing official files given his current position. This query highlights the broader implications of the case on the functioning of the Delhi government.
The Timeline
The matter was first listed on April 29, when Senior Advocate AM Singhvi questioned the necessity and timing of Kejriwal’s arrest on behalf of the AAP chief. During the subsequent hearing on April 30, Singhvi alleged that the ED had withheld material favoring Kejriwal. The court then posed five queries to ASG SV Raju, which were to be answered in the next hearing.
FAQs
Q1: What is the Delhi Liquor Policy case?
The Delhi Liquor Policy case involves allegations of irregularities in the implementation of the liquor policy in Delhi.
Q2: Why was Arvind Kejriwal arrested?
Arvind Kejriwal was arrested in connection with the Delhi Liquor Policy case. The specifics of the allegations against him are currently under investigation.
Q3: What is interim bail?
Interim bail is a temporary release granted by a court to an accused person until the next hearing date.
Q4: When are the Lok Sabha Elections scheduled?
The Lok Sabha Elections in Delhi are scheduled for May 23.
Q5: What happens next in the case?
The case will continue with further hearings, during which the court will consider the arguments presented by both sides.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the ongoing legal proceedings involving Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.