New Delhi

On Thursday, the SC reserved its decision on Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s pleas for bail and to challenge his arrest by the CBI in a corruption case related to the alleged excise policy scam.

The court heard arguments from both Kejriwal’s legal team and the CBI. Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing the CBI, argued that Kejriwal should have first sought bail from the trial court before approaching the High Court. He suggested that Kejriwal, being a prominent political figure, was receiving special treatment and that if granted bail, he might influence witnesses.

In response, Kejriwal’s senior advocate, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, highlighted that the Supreme Court had previously granted Kejriwal bail on two occasions and argued that his arrest was unprecedented and unjustified. Singhvi emphasized that Kejriwal is not a danger to society and described his arrest as a ‘precautionary measure.’

The Delhi High Court had earlier upheld Kejriwal’s arrest, stating it was lawful and that evidence supporting the CBI’s action had been properly gathered. The court noted that Kejriwal’s influence on potential witnesses was significant, leading to their willingness to testify only after his arrest.

Kejriwal had been arrested by the CBI on June 26, 2024, while already in Enforcement Directorate custody related to the excise policy investigation.