Supreme Court May Pass Order On Arvind Kejriwal's Interim Bail On Friday

While concluding hearing for the day in a batch of petitions challenging provisions of the CGST Act, Justice Sanjiv Khanna of the Supreme Court expressed that an order on Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's interim release from judicial custody may be passed on Friday.

“As far as interim order etc. is concerned, we may pass that order on Friday,” Justice Khanna told ASG SV Raju.

The judge was sitting in a bench comprising Justices MM Sundresh and Bela M Trivedi when before rising, he asked Raju to start his arguments in the GST batch tomorrow. Reeling under the impression that Kejriwal's matter was listed tomorrow, Raju said, "Tomorrow, there is Kejriwal...".

However, Justice Khanna clarified that Kejriwal's matter is listed on Friday, not Thursday, and interim order may be passed in the case on that day.

It may be recalled that a Bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta is hearing Kejriwal's plea challenging ED's arrest of March 21. On the last date, arguments were heard for about an hour on the question of interim bail (so as to enable the AAP chief to campaign for Lok Sabha elections), but could not conclude.

While Senior Advocate Dr AM Singhvi (for Kejriwal) has been questioning the necessity and timing of Kejriwal's arrest, ASG SV Raju (for ED) has maintained that there is evidence against Kejriwal and he must not be granted benefit of interim bail on account of elections. SG Mehta has also addressed the court on this aspect, contending that releasing the AAP chief in view of Lok Sabha Elections would send a wrong message to society and demoralize the common man.

The Bench, so far, has made it clear that if it directs Kejriwal's release in the interim, it would be subject to his not performing official duties.

For a detailed report on the last hearing, click here.

Case Title: Arvind Kejriwal v. Directorate of Enforcement, SLP(Crl) 5154/2024