SEPTEMBER 5, 2024- The Supreme Court is currently hearing Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s petitions seeking bail and contesting his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the now-scrapped excise policy case. A Bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan, after denying interim bail on August 14, had adjourned the hearing to September 5, allowing the CBI time to respond.

The CBI, in its affidavit, emphasized that Kejriwal's arrest was justified due to his evasive and non-cooperative behavior during the investigation. The agency argued that Kejriwal could not claim equal treatment with his co-accused, as his role in the case was significantly different. While figures like Manish Sisodia, BRS leader K. Kavitha, and AAP's Vijay Nair have already been granted bail, the CBI maintained that Kejriwal’s involvement warranted a different approach.

Kejriwal’s legal troubles began with his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 in connection with the excise policy case. Though the Supreme Court granted him interim bail in the ED case on July 12, he remains in custody following his subsequent arrest by the CBI on June 25. The CBI has reiterated that the Delhi CM must first seek bail from the sessions court, not the Supreme Court.

The next step in this high-profile legal battle will unfold as the Supreme Court reviews the submissions from both parties in the coming weeks.