Incarcerated Delhi chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal could finally walk out of jail after the Supreme Court today informed the Enforcement Directorate that they could think about granting interim bail to him due to the Lok Sabha elections.
The top court instructed the ED lawyer to be ready to discuss this issue when the case is heard on Tuesday.
A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta told Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for the ED, that the hearing on Kejriwal's plea against arrest is likely to take time and therefore, the court was considering hearing the probe agency on interim bail to him.
“We may grant or we may not grant. But we must be open to you as neither side should be taken by surprise," the top court said.
The apex court also asked the ED to suggest potential conditions if Arvind Kejriwal is granted interim bail as the Delhi Chief Minister.
"Please also take instructions - we are not saying anything (on whether bail will be granted or not) - we would like to consider granting interim bail because of elections. Dr. Singhvi don't start without even hearing us - we may or may not grant. We are going to hear you. We must be open to you because neither side should be taken by surprise. Second ... Because of the position you (Kejriwal) hold, should you be signing any files? We are being open, do not assume anything ... Do not read anything into it! We are not saying either way," Justice Khanna said.
Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 by the ED in a money laundering case related to Delhi's former excise policy.
Kejriwal remains in custody despite several bail attempts. Meanwhile, Kejriwal's wife, Sunita Kejriwal, has been active in the Aam Aadmi Party's campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections.
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