Alexander Sammon
Updated on: October 7, 2024 7:50 am GMT
The ongoing legal proceedings involving Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal center around his arrest in connection with the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and an alleged excise policy scam. Here’s a recap of key developments based on the live updates from the bail hearing in the Supreme Court:
1. **Bail Hearing Details**: The Supreme Court is hearing petitions from Kejriwal challenging his arrest and the previous denial of bail. Currently, Kejriwal is incarcerated due to his alleged role in a criminal conspiracy related to the Delhi Excise Policy.
2. **Arguments Presented**:
– **Counsel for Kejriwal (Senior Advocate AM Singhvi)**: Singhvi argues that Kejriwal poses no threat in the PMLA case and is seeking regular bail from the trial court. He insists that there were no grounds for the arrest and that the processes followed were not appropriate.
– **Counsel for CBI (ASG SV Raju)**: Raju counters by asserting that the CBI has substantial evidence against Kejriwal, labeling him a key conspirator in a scheme designed to privatize the excise policy and accusing him of receiving illicit funds for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Raju argues that unique protocols do not apply simply because Kejriwal is a high-profile figure.
3. **Allegations against Kejriwal**: The CBI claims that the AAP leveraged the excise policy to generate undue profits, implicating Kejriwal in soliciting bribes and operating a criminal conspiracy. The policy, initially intended to rejuvenate the liquor industry by replacing a sales-based system with a license fee model, has been under intense scrutiny.
4. **Support from AAP leaders**: Other AAP leaders, such as Minister Kailash Gahlot, voiced their hope for Kejriwal’s quick return and expressed the disruption the absence of the Chief Minister has caused in governance and decision-making.
5. **Court Dynamics**: Throughout the proceedings, the justices have highlighted the importance of following judicial processes regarding jurisdiction and proper channels for bail applications. The court scrutinized the CBI’s justification for the arrest and whether Kejriwal’s status should influence the legal process.
6. **Recent Background**: Kejriwal has been in judicial custody since June 26, following multiple rejections of bail by lower courts. The situation has also been complicated by concurrent proceedings possibly involving other AAP leaders who have been granted bail or have faced similar charges.
7. **Judicial Observations**: The Supreme Court has raised crucial points around the procedural rights during the arrest process and the implications of potential abuses of judicial privilege, with ASG Raju emphasizing that no individual should be given preferential treatment based solely on status.
This case is changing a lot and it could really affect Kejriwal and the AAP. It brings up important talks about how politicians are held responsible, how the courts work, and how government and police work together in India.
