Shruti Suman
Kejriwal was originally granted interim bail until June 1 to participate in the Lok Sabha election campaign. According to the court’s ruling, he is required to surrender and return to Tihar Jail on June 2.
Preliminary examinations have already been conducted by the medical team at Max Hospital. Kejriwal’s legal team argued that the additional tests are crucial for his health and requested the court to extend the bail period to complete these medical investigations.
The interim bail granted to Kejriwal has been controversial, with BJP leaders alleging he received “special treatment” from the Supreme Court. However, the justices have firmly denied any preferential treatment.
The ongoing investigation pertains to alleged irregularities in the formulation and implementation of the Delhi excise policy for 2021-22. The policy, intended to modernize the capital’s liquor business with new shopping experiences and offers, was canceled following an investigation ordered by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. The AAP has accused Saxena’s predecessor, Anil Baijal, of making last-minute changes that negatively impacted the policy’s revenue expectations.
AAP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia, is already in judicial custody in connection with the case. Sisodia was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on February 26 last year. Additionally, party leader Sanjay Singh, a Rajya Sabha member, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on October 5 and was granted bail in April this year.
