Delhi's Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, seems unlikely to find relief from the Supreme Court as he is required to surrender on June 2. It is noted that CM Kejriwal had appealed for a 7-day extension on his interim bail. However, his plea was not accepted by the Supreme Court's registry.
The SC registry declined Kejriwal's plea to prolong his interim bail for another 7 days, emphasizing that the Supreme Court had authorized CM to file his bail application in a trial court. The implication is clear: Kejriwal must surrender by June 2.
The Supreme Court registry dismissed the plea by Arvind Kejriwal for an immediate hearing to extend his interim bail by seven days. The registry referenced a previous court order which confined his interim bail until June 1 and allowed him freedom to apply for regular bail at a lower court.
Even on Tuesday, the Supreme Court offered no relief to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. His application for a bail extension was forwarded by a vacation bench to the CJI. The process also takes place through the registry. The registrar decides the urgency and necessity of a matter and how appropriate it is to send it to the Chief Justice.
However, on Tuesday, the vacation bench declared that CJI D Y Chandrachud will determine when and by which bench Kejriwal's petition will be heard. During Tuesday's hearing in the Supreme Court, Justice KV Vishwanathan asked Kejriwal's lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi why the matter wasn't mentioned when one of the bench members, Justice Deepankar Datta, was available last week. It was stated in response that a doctor had recommended additional tests, including a PET scan, based on Kejriwal's initial medical report on May 25. The court pointed out that this matter had last been heard on May 17 and that they would refer it to the CJI.
Kejriwal recently sought 7 more days for treatment
It's known that recently Kejriwal had filed a petition in the Supreme Court, requesting an additional 7 days on his interim bail for medical tests. According to the Aam Aadmi Party, CM Kejriwal is pending a number of tests including a PET-CT scan, thus he had requested a week from the Supreme Court for these examinations.
General elections of utmost importance: Justice Khanna
On May 10, the Supreme Court had granted bail to Arvind Kejriwal. Interim bail was provided until June 1. The bench of Justices Sanjeev Khanna and Deepankar Datta, while passing the order for interim bail, stated that 'the general elections are this year's most significant event.' The Supreme Court further declared that millions of voters will cast their ballot for the next five years' government. General elections invigorate democracy. Considering this significance, the prosecution's argument is dismissed, which suggested that granting bail would favor politicians over ordinary citizens of this country.
CM Kejriwal has been in jail since March 21
ED arrested Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on March 21 in the alleged Delhi liquor scam. He had received 9 summons for questioning in the case before this but failed to appear. The central investigation agency claims Kejriwal was a prime conspirator and directly involved in soliciting bribes from liquor businesses. Denying these accusations, AAP maintained that there will be no change in leadership and Chief Minister Kejriwal will govern from jail.
