New Delhi : Sep 13 — In a significant development, the Supreme Court of India has granted bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the ongoing Delhi excise policy corruption case, investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The court’s decision was delivered on Friday by a bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan.
The bench, while granting the bail, acknowledged that the trial is not expected to be completed in the near future. Kejriwal was granted bail on the condition of furnishing a bail bond of ₹10 lakh along with two sureties of the same amount. Additionally, the court has restricted him from making any public comments on the merits of the CBI case.
Justice Surya Kant, in his remarks, stated that Kejriwal’s arrest did not suffer from any procedural irregularities. However, Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, in a separate and pointed judgment, expressed concerns regarding the necessity and timing of the arrest. He questioned why the CBI, despite having the case for 22 months, only arrested the Chief Minister after the trial court had granted him regular bail in the case linked to the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Justice Bhuyan observed that the arrest seemed designed to thwart Kejriwal’s bail granted in the ED case.
“This raises a serious question about the motives behind the arrest,” Justice Bhuyan stated. He further highlighted that such actions give rise to doubts about the CBI’s objectivity, comparing the incident to the previously criticized conduct of the agency, which had been termed as a “caged parrot” by the Supreme Court.
Justice Bhuyan also pointed out that an accused has the right to remain silent, and no adverse inference can be drawn from such silence. He stressed that the deprivation of liberty, even for a single day, is one day too many.
With the court’s judgment, Arvind Kejriwal will be released, though the legal scrutiny into the Delhi excise policy scam remains ongoing. The case continues to draw significant political and legal attention, with questions surrounding the CBI’s investigation and actions.
Arvind Kejriwal’s Involvement in the Delhi Excise Policy Corruption Case: How It All Began
The corruption case involving Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, which is connected to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam, first came to light in 2021. The case revolves around irregularities and corruption claims regarding the formulation and implementation of the Delhi government’s liquor policy.
How the Case Began
The controversy started when the Delhi government, under Arvind Kejriwal, introduced a new excise policy in 2021, aiming to reform the liquor distribution system. The policy was supposed to simplify the licensing process and increase revenue for the state. However, allegations soon emerged that the policy was manipulated to favor a few private companies, leading to losses for the government and financial gains for certain individuals.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) began investigating the matter, focusing on the possibility that corruption had taken place during the implementation of this policy. Arvind Kejriwal and several other officials were implicated, with accusations that undue benefits were given to liquor licensees in exchange for kickbacks.
Summons and Interrogations
Arvind Kejriwal was questioned multiple times by both the CBI and ED as part of their investigations into the case. Each time he was summoned, it led to significant political and media attention. While Kejriwal consistently denied any wrongdoing and claimed the charges were politically motivated, the investigative agencies continued to build their case.
The Chief Minister has been called for questioning on various occasions over the past two years. These sessions, often lasting several hours, have focused on understanding his role in drafting and approving the policy. Kejriwal’s legal team has argued that the policy was made transparently and aimed at modernizing the liquor trade in Delhi. However, the opposition parties, especially the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have repeatedly accused him of corruption.
Recent Developments
In 2023, after nearly two years of investigation, Kejriwal’s legal troubles escalated when the CBI finally decided to arrest him, sparking further controversy. The timing of the arrest raised questions, especially since the agency had refrained from taking such action for over 22 months.
His arrest was immediately challenged in court, leading to his eventual release on bail by the Supreme Court in 2024. However, this case remains a significant political issue, with Kejriwal’s political opponents using it to question his credibility, while his supporters view it as a tactic to tarnish his image ahead of elections.
Political Impact
Throughout the proceedings, Arvind Kejriwal has maintained that the case is politically motivated, aimed at undermining his government. His party, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has also consistently argued that the case is an attempt by the central government to stifle opposition. Despite the legal challenges, Kejriwal continues to lead the Delhi government and remains a prominent figure in Indian politics.
As the case moves forward, it is expected to continue shaping the political landscape, with each new development capturing public and media attention.
