Fri Sep 13 13:46:58 UTC 2024: ## Supreme Court Grants Bail to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in Excise Policy Case, But with Restrictions

The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a corruption case related to the city’s excise policy, but with the caveat that he cannot enter his Chief Minister’s office or sign any files. The court, however, differed in its opinion on the legality of Kejriwal’s arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Kejriwal, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in March and had been in jail since June, was granted interim bail in May to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections. He had challenged his arrest in the CBI case in the Supreme Court after the Delhi High Court upheld it.

The Supreme Court observed that prolonged incarceration while a trial is underway is unjust and that bail is the norm, not the exception. Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, in a separate judgment, criticized the CBI for arresting Kejriwal, questioning the timing of the arrest and arguing that it amounted to “targeted harassment” and “unjustified detention.” He emphasized that the arrest was unnecessary and that the power of arrest should not be misused.

Justice Surya Kant, however, upheld the legality of the arrest, stating that it complied with procedural laws and that there was no impediment in arresting a person already in custody for another case.

Despite the differing opinions on the arrest, the Supreme Court unanimously granted bail to Kejriwal on a bond of ₹10 lakh and two sureties of the same amount. However, the court barred him from accessing his CM office and signing official documents until further notice. This restriction is likely to significantly impact Kejriwal’s ability to function as the Delhi Chief Minister.

The case raises important questions about the balance between ensuring fair trials and preventing the misuse of power by investigative agencies. The differing opinions of the Supreme Court judges on the legality of Kejriwal’s arrest highlight the ongoing debate around the need for robust legal protections against potential abuse of power by authorities.

Read More