Delhi court dismisses Kejriwal's interim bail plea, extends judicial custody till June 19
New Delhi: The Rouse Avenue Court on Wednesday dismissed the interim bail plea moved by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal seeking 7 days bail citing medical reasons in the excise policy money laundering case.
While dismissing the plea, the court directed the Tihar Jail Authorities to conduct all required medical tests and avail treatment for the applicant, Arvind Kejriwal.
Meanwhile, the Court also extended his judicial custody until June 19, 2024. Arvind Kejriwal was produced through virtual mode before the court.
In compliance with Supreme Court directions, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has surrendered himself before the Tihar Jail on June 2, 2024.
The same court on June 1, had kept the order reserved on the bail plea moved by Arvind Kejriwal.
During arguments, Senior Advocate N Hariharan, who appeared for Kejriwal, submitted that "the interim bail was for the purpose of campaigning for my party, which is a national party...I am out for 20 days and had I not done it, you would've said he didn't campaign and fell ill. It was a lot of stress due to the campaigning, and you know that stress is an aggravator of diabetes. What was alarming was that KETO levels rose in the urine. The aspect of concern is high level of sugar and the keto numbers."
Appearing for Enforcement Directorate (ED), Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Additional Solicitor General SV Raju submitted that there are several suppressions of facts, including health conditions.
During preliminary objections, ED lawyers stated that we have objections to filing of interim bail as well. This court cannot modify the Superior Court order. He's on interim bail because the SC granted, what he is asking here is an extension of Supreme Court order.
This interim bail plea is required to be dismissed as it is full of suppression of facts. ED, while opposing Kejriwal plea seeking extension interim bail by one weeks said, Supreme Court had granted Liberty to him that he can file regular bail but the liberty to seek extension of interim bail is not granted to him. He has said that these tests require 7 days, the nature of the test has been suppressed.
ED also raised maintainability issues on the interim bail plea and submitted that instead of getting a medical test done, he was travelling across. medical test would take more than an hour.
(ANI)
