Delhi court denies interim bail to Arvind Kejriwal in Excise Policy case

A Delhi court on Wednesday rejected the plea filed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal seeking interim bail for 7 days in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. .Special Judge (PC Act) Kaveri Baweja of the Rouse Avenue Courts pronounced the order.The Court further said that it has passed certain directions for medical tests of Kejriwal. After the order was pronounced, Kejriwal's lawyer Vivek Jain told the Court that there are concerns regarding the CM's health. On June 2, when he surrendered, three different weighing scales were used in Tihar jail to measure his weight and they showed three different readings, Jain submitted. However, the Court said that if there are any concerns, Kejriwal can move an application and the same will be considered..Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 on allegations that he was part of a conspiracy to intentionally leave loopholes in the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy for 2021-22, to benefit certain liquor sellers.ED has alleged that kickbacks received from liquor sellers were used to fund the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) electoral campaign in Goa and Kejriwal being the National Convenor of the party is both personally and vicariously liable for the offence of money laundering.Other AAP leaders arrested in the same case include former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia and Member of Parliament Sanjay Singh (out on bail).Kejriwal remained in jail till May 10, when the Supreme Court allowed his release on interim bail to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections.Kejriwal returned to jail on June 2 after the interim bail period allowed by the top court came to an end. His regular plea will be heard by the trial court on June 7..He then moved the present interim bail plea on medical grounds arguing that he needs to undergo some tests for his fluctuating sugar levels and high ketone in blood. It was argued that Kejriwal has lost weight and his tests will take some days. The ED opposed the plea and said that he was lying to get interim bail. It was contended that the trial court does not have the power to extend the interim bail granted by the Supreme Court. His regular plea will be heard by the trial court on June 7..Read detailed arguments on Kejriwal's interim bail plea here.