The Supreme Court granted bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case.
The bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan presided over the matter.
Justice Suryakant stated that the Arrest by the CBI is legal. Arvind Kejriwal shall be released on a bail subject to furnishing of the bond of Rs. 10 lakh. Kejriwal was further restrained from making comments on the case in public.
However, Justice Ujjal Bhuyan while deferring observed that the arrest was perhaps to frustrate bail to Arvind Kejriwal in ED case.
Justice Bhuyan remarked “CBI must ensure that the perception of it being a ‘caged parrot’ is discarded. It must be above board.”
The court had reserved the verdict on September 5 after hearing counsels representing Kejriwal and CBI.
Background
The Delhi government introduced the excise policy in 2021-22 with the objectice to revitalise the city’s flagging liquor business by replacing the sales-volume-based regime with a license fee for traders, and promised swankier stores, free of the infamous metal grilles, ultimately giving customers a better buying experience.
However, the policy was scrapped after Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena sought a CBI probe into the policy alleging irregularities.
As per ED, the Kejriwal-led AAP received kickbacks to the tune of Rs. 100 crore to finalise the excise policy. It was also alleged that a large chunk of this money was used by the party in its Goa election campaign.
Case Title: Arvind Kejriwal V/S Central Bureau Of Investigation
Case No.: Special Leave to Appeal (Crl.) No(s).11023/2024
Date: 13/09/2024
Counsel For Petitioner: Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Sr. Adv.
Counsel For Respondent: Mr. Suryaprakash V. Raju, A.S.G.
