Arvind Kejriwal's Interim Bail Extension Request Rejected By Supreme Court Registry

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal faced another major setback when the Supreme Court registry rejected his plea seeking a seven-day extension to his interim bail. 

Earlier this month, the top court granted interim bail to Kejriwal and directed him to surrender on June 2.

While rejecting his plea for an extension of the interim bail, the Supreme Court registry has said that the plea is not maintainable as the court, while granting the bail, has categorically stated that Kejriwal is entitled to move the trial court for regular bail or any other relief.

Last month, the Delhi High Court declined to order the release of the Chief Minister in his alleged connection with the liquor policy scam, stating that it did not deem the arrest to be unlawful or illegal. This prompted Kejriwal to approach the top court for relief.

The Enforcement Directorate arrested Kejriwal on March 21 in connection with the case. Prior to his arrest, Kejriwal had declined the central probe agency's summons on multiple occasions.

The case pertains to accusations of corruption and money laundering during the formulation and implementation of the Delhi government's excise policy in 2021–2022, which was later scrapped.

The case led to the arrest of Manish Sisodia, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, in February last year. AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh also faced arrest in October of that year.

Last month, BRS leader K. Kavitha was arrested in the case. Following Kavitha's arrest, the ED released a press note calling Kejriwal a conspirator in the alleged liquor policy scam.