Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal filed a fresh petition in the Supreme Court on Monday, seeking an extension of his interim bail by 7 days on grounds of serious health care conditions.
Mr. Kejriwal highlighted the need for medical tests, including a PET-CT scan, following a weight loss of 7 kg and elevated ketone levels.
“Kejriwal lost 7 kg of weight after arrest. Kejriwal’s ketone level is very high, and there may be symptoms of some serious disease,” AAP said in a statement.
The Chief Minister’s legal counsel argued that these tests are crucial for his well-being and requested that the court consider the extension to complete the necessary medical investigations. Max Hospital’s medical team has already conducted preliminary examinations.
In order to allow him to campaign for the Lok Sabha election, the Supreme Court on May 10 granted him temporary release for a 21-day term. As per the ruling, he is required to surrender and return to Tihar Jail on June 2.
Reportedly, Kejriwal, in his most recent appeal, requested a seven-day extension of the provisional parole due to health concerns, citing his weight loss of seven kilos, among other reasons.
The interim bail granted to Mr. Kejriwal has sparked controversy, with BJP leaders allegedly claiming that Chief Minister Kejr received “special treatment” from the Supreme Court. However, the justices involved in granting the bail have firmly stated that no exceptions were made in Mr. Kejriwal’s favor.
AAP leader and former deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia, is already under judicial custody in connection with the case. Mr. Sisodia, the former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on February 26 last year, while party leader Sanjay Singh, a Rajya Sabha member, was arrested by the ED on October 5 and was granted bail in April this year.
The Case
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case. The arrest came after Kejriwal skipped nine summonses by the investigating agency in the case.
In November 2021, the Delhi government, under Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership, introduced a new excise policy aiming to modernize alcohol sales in the city. This move received mixed reviews, with some applauding its progressive approach while others raising concerns about its potential financial and public health implications.
In July 2022, Delhi’s Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar reported violations in the policy to Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Vinai Kumar Saxena, who recommended an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The report submitted alleged “financial losses to the exchequer” amounting to more than Rs 580 crore.
Reportedly, the enforcement directories alleged that the policy was intentionally made with loopholes to favor the AAP. It accused AAP leaders of receiving kickbacks from liquor businesses in exchange for preferential treatment, such as discounts, license fee waivers, and relief during the COVID-19 pandemic disruptions. In addition to this, the AAP was accused of influencing the Goa election in 2022.
As a result of this, the CBI conducted raids, targeting then-Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and three others.
The ED claimed that the Delhi Chief Minister himself engaged with key accused and urged them to collaborate with others involved in the case.
In spite of receiving nine summonses between the periods of October 2023 and March 2024, Kejriwal was apprehended after the Delhi High Court rejected his plea for protection from arrest on March 21.
