New Delhi:

The Supreme Court today granted interim bail until June 1 to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the leader of Aam Aadmi Party, who was arrested on March 21 by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the alleged excise policy scam. It delighted the Aam Aadmi party workers in Delhi as well as across the country. The leaders of opposition parties also welcomed the decision of Supreme Court in this

Justice Sanjiv Khanna, presiding over a two-judge bench with Justice Dipankar Datta, said “We are passing an order giving him interim release till June 1, 2024.” The court added that it will upload its order.

The bench made it clear that Delhi CM will have to surrender on expiry of the interim bail term.

The Court said Delhi CM shall furnish bail bonds in the sum of Rs 50,000 with one surety of the like amount to the satisfaction of the Jail Superintend. Secondly, he shall not visit the CM office and the Delhi Secretariat. Thirdly, he will not make any comment on his role in the case, and lastly, the chief minister will not interact with witnesses or have access to any official files connected with case.

Earlier this week, the ED had opposed the suggestion for interim relief and urged the Bench not to carve out a separate class for politicians just because they want to campaign for elections.

“What example are we setting? He is a chief minister and wants to campaign, and therefore he (should be granted interim bail)?” the court had said, adding that “to release him on interim bail because he is a politician would send a very wrong message”.

Justice Khanna had then said, “It is the election season. He is the elected chief minister of Delhi. The elections are around the corner. These are extraordinary situations. It’s not normal… He is not otherwise a habitual (offender) or somebody who has been involved in any other case.”