- Supreme Court grants interim bail to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in ED money laundering case.
- Kejriwal remains in jail due to separate CBI arrest related to the same excise policy scam.
- Case involves alleged corruption in the Delhi government’s scrapped 2021-22 excise policy.
The Supreme Court has granted interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the money laundering case brought by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) concerning the alleged excise policy scam.
Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Datta highlighted the court’s review of Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), which pertains to the subjective opinion of officers subject to judicial review. This contrasts with Section 45, which involves judicial exercise.
Delhi CM Kejriwal Granted Bail in ED Case; Remains Jailed Due to CBI Charges
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been granted interim bail by the Supreme Court in a money laundering case related to the alleged excise policy scam. The case, investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), focuses on corruption allegations involving the Delhi government’s now-scrapped excise policy for 2021-22.
Despite the bail, Kejriwal remains in custody due to a separate arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on June 26 for related corruption charges. This arrest followed multiple summonses that Kejriwal allegedly skipped, prompting the ED to take action.
The Supreme Court, with Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta, reviewed the parameters of Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), highlighting its subjective nature and judicial review potential. Section 45, however, involves the court’s direct exercise, leading to the referral of the case to a larger bench for further scrutiny of the ED’s powers.
Kejriwal’s incarceration has surpassed 90 days, a point noted by the court in its interim bail decision. The case underscores the ongoing legal battles faced by the Delhi CM, amidst significant scrutiny and legal interpretations of the PMLA.
Despite the interim bail granted by the Supreme Court in the ED case, Arvind Kejriwal’s legal troubles continue, as he remains in jail due to the CBI’s separate corruption charges. This situation highlights the complexities and ongoing challenges in high-profile legal cases.
“Kejriwal is elected leader and it is up to him to decide if he wants to continue as Delhi CM,” the Supreme Court remarked, emphasizing the political implications amidst legal challenges.