Arvind Kejriwal Urgently Appeals to Supreme Court for Extension of Interim Bail on Medical Grounds

Arvind Kejriwal Urgently Appeals to Supreme Court for Extension of Interim Bail on Medical Grounds

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has made an urgent plea to the Supreme Court, requesting a one-week extension of his interim bail in a money laundering case linked to the excise scam, citing medical reasons. Senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi brought Kejriwal’s plea before a Vacation Bench comprising Justice JK Maheshwari and Justice KV Viswanathan, emphasizing the Chief Minister’s urgent medical needs.

Singhvi pointed out that a previous Bench, presided by Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Datta, has already reserved its verdict on Kejriwal’s petition challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the money laundering case. In response, Justice Maheshwari indicated that he would refer the matter to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud for an appropriate decision.

As the ‘Master of Roster’, the Chief Justice holds the authority to determine the composition of Benches to hear cases. Justice Viswanathan questioned Singhvi about the delay in approaching the Supreme Court when Justice Datta led a Vacation Bench the previous week.

Kejriwal’s plea for extension is motivated by his deteriorating health conditions, including high ketone and blood glucose levels, sudden unexplained weight loss of 6-7 kilograms, and the possibility of life-threatening complications. On Monday, he formally moved the Supreme Court seeking an additional seven days to his 21-day interim bail, granted on May 10 to enable him to campaign during the Lok Sabha polls. The interim bail period is set to expire on June 2.

Arrested by the ED on March 21, Kejriwal has faced restrictions imposed by the Supreme Court. He was prohibited from visiting the Chief Minister’s Office and Delhi Secretariat, and instructed not to sign official files unless necessary and required for approval by the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. Furthermore, the court forbade him from making comments on the money laundering case against him and interacting with witnesses or accessing official files related to the case.

The Supreme Court, on May 17, reserved its verdict on Kejriwal’s petition challenging his arrest by the ED in connection to the Delhi excise policy scam. The Delhi High Court had previously upheld his arrest in the case on April 9, a decision Kejriwal has contested.

Kejriwal’s plea for an extension of bail has drawn attention to the intersection of legal proceedings and health concerns, sparking debates on the appropriate balance between justice and medical exigencies. With his health condition deteriorating, the political ramifications of his potential absence from crucial engagements loom large, particularly in the context of ongoing legal battles and political responsibilities.

In light of these developments, stakeholders await the Supreme Court’s decision with keen interest, as it could have significant implications not only for Kejriwal’s personal circumstances but also for the political landscape in Delhi and beyond.

**Hash Tags:** #KejriwalBailPlea #SupremeCourt #MedicalEmergency #LegalProceedings #DelhiPolitics #ExciseScam #LokSabhaPolls #EnforcementDirectorate #PoliticalNews #ArvindKejriwal