SC reserves verdict as Kejriwal, CBI spar over bail in excise case

Singhvi highlighted that all co-accused in the case had been granted bail

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday strongly opposed the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) argument in the Supreme Court that he should have first approached the trial court for bail in the ongoing corruption case linked to the alleged excise policy scam. Kejriwal's counsel argued it would be unjust to send the matter back to the trial court at this stage.

After extensive arguments from both Kejriwal's legal team and the CBI, the Supreme Court reserved its judgement on separate pleas filed by Kejriwal for bail and against his arrest.

The CBI questioned the maintainability of Kejriwal's pleas, with Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S V Raju, representing the central agency, stating that the Delhi Chief Minister should have approached the trial court first under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). "He has approached the Delhi High Court directly without going to the sessions court. My preliminary objection is he must first go to the trial court," Raju argued before the bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan.

Raju further said: "He seems to be an extraordinary person who requires a different approach. When all other Aam Aadmis (common people) go to the trial court for bail, there cannot be special treatment for anyone.” He added that granting Kejriwal bail directly would set a damaging precedent. "If the Supreme Court grants bail to Kejriwal, it will demoralise the Delhi High Court, which upheld his arrest," he said.