The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the CBI’s case registered in connection with the alleged scam in Delhi liquor policy. With bail already granted in Enforcement Directorate’s case, Kejriwal is all set to walk out of Tihar prison soon.
A bench led by Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan granted bail to the Aam Aadmi Party leader in the prevention of corruption case by the Central Bureau of Investigation. Justice Kant observed CBI’s arrest was not illegal, however, bail is being granted considering completion of trial unlikely to occur in the immediate future, Live Law reported.
However, Justice Bhuyan had a different view on CBI’s arrest and said the central agency’s actions raises questions about the arrest. “Efforts must be made to remove the perception that investigation not carried out fairly,” Live Law reported quoting Justice Bhuyan.
The ED arrested Arvind Kejriwal on March 21 in connection with alleged scam in the scrapped Delhi liquor policy. The CBI arrested him from Tihar prison on June 26 in a prevention of corruption case registered in connection with the alleged scam.
The matter relates to alleged corruption and money laundering in the formulation and execution of the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22, which has now been scrapped.
The apex court granted bail to Kejriwal in ED’s case on July 12, observing the AAP leader has been in prison for 90 days. However, he had to remain in prison as he was serving remand in CBI’s case. The Supreme Court had also granted interim bail to Kejriwal during the Lok Sabha polls for campaigning.