No Interim Bail For Arvind Kejriwal Today As Supreme Court Considers "Cascading Effects" Of Releasing Delhi CM

After hearing Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's plea for interim bail in the liquor policy case on Tuesday (7 May), the Supreme Court deferred the matter for the next hearing, likely on Thursday or next week.

Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, representing the Enforcement Directorate (ED), read witness statements before the bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta while opposing the plea.

He argued that criteria under Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) need to be followed for granting interim bail and highlighted that another Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh misused his bail.

Justice Khanna noted the repercussions of releasing Kejriwal on interim bail and said, "If you are allowed to participate in elections, you will be performing official duties...it can have cascading effects."

Representing Kejriwal, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi assured the court that the Delhi CM will not sign any files while out on bail if Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena does not refuse.

The bench observed that bail is given in some special or exceptional circumstances and now it needs to be considered whether exception is required in view of elections.

Justice Khanna made it clear that Kejriwal will not be allowed to perform official duties while out on bail as the court does not want any interference in the functioning of the Delhi government.