- विज्ञापन -
New Delhi: In major relief to Arvind Kejriwal, Supreme Court has granted bail to him in the CBI case. The Supreme Court pronounced the verdict which was reserved in the earlier hearing. The Court granted bail to Arvind Kejriwal in CBI case with some conditions. Two pleas were filled by Arvind Kejriwal, i.e. one plea for the bail and one plea challenging arrest by CBI was filed by Delhi CM. Apex Court in the verdict declared his arrest by CBI as per laws but granted bail while pronouncing the verdict on other plea.
Last week, the Bench of Justices Kant and Bhuyan, reserved its decision after hearing the oral arguments advanced by senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo, and Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S.V. Raju, who appeared on behalf of the CBI. During the hearing, Singhvi contended that the CBI did not arrest CM Kejriwal for two years but made an “insurance arrest in a hurry” to prevent his release in the money laundering case.
The CBI arrested Kejriwal for “his non-cooperation and evasive replies” but there were several apex court judgments that held that cooperation with the probe should not mean that the accused should incriminate himself and confess to the offences alleged, he said. Singhvi added that CM Kejriwal, a constitutional functionary holding the position of Delhi Chief Minister, satisfied the triple test for grant of bail. “He is not a flight risk, he will turn up to answer the questions of the investigative agency, and cannot tamper with documents, running into lakhs of pages, and digital evidence after two years,” he submitted.
On the other hand, the central agency apprehended that the release of CM Kejriwal would turn many witnesses “hostile” and urged the apex court to not release him on bail.
The Supreme Court, on July 12, ordered CM Kejriwal to be released on interim bail in connection with the money laundering case lodged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). However, he was not able to walk out of jail since he was arrested by the CBI. Meanwhile, a Delhi court on Wednesday extended till September 25 the judicial custody of CM Kejriwal, who was produced through video conferencing from Tihar Jail upon expiry of previously granted judicial custody.
