The Supreme Court will pronounce judgment today at 10.30 AM on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's petitions challenging his arrest by the CBI and seeking bail in the CBI case related to the Delhi liquor policy.
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan will pronounce the verdict.
As per the causelist, there will be two judgments. Both Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan will pronounce separate judgments.
The bench had reserved the verdict on September 5.
The Court( a bench led by Justice Sanjiv Khanna) had granted Kejriwal interim bail in the ED case. However, his incarceration continued due to the CBI case.
Follow this page for live updates from the verdict pronouncement.
Pronouncement ends.
J Kant: From our side, we have...office procedure part may take some time.
J Kant: In view of separate order passed by J Bhuyan, however, there being concurrent opinion about bail, subject to terms and conditions contained in para 27, judgment of HC of Aug 5 is set aside. Appellant directed to be released on bail
J Bhuyan: CBI is a premier investigating agency. It's in public interest that CBI must be seen to be above...effort must be made to remove perception that investigation not carried out fairly. PERCEPTION MATTERS
J Bhuyan: Belated arrest of appellant unjustified. This court imposed several conditions in ED case. Though I have serious reservations on conditions which debarred him from entering Secretariat and signing files...I'd refrain from saying further...
J Bhuyan: Further detention by CBI under same predicate offense has become untenable. There is presumption of innocense. Bail is the rule and jail an exception. Courts must ensure that pre-trial process does not become punishment.
J Bhuyan: I fail to understand the great urgency on part of CBI to arrest appellant when he was on cusp of release in ED case. Mr Raju vehemently argued that appellant has to first approach TC...it can't be accepted.
J Bhuyan cites Mohammad Zubair and Arnab Goswami cases
J Bhuyan: Travesty of justice to keep appellant in custody on these grounds, especially as he has been granted bail in more stringent PMLA.
J Bhuyan: As far as grounds of arrest are concerned, these would not satisfy necessity of arrest. CBI can't justify arrest and continue detention citing evasive replies. Accused can't be compelled to make inculpatory statement.