CM Arvind Kejriwal’s bail plea was being heard in the trial court Solicitor General Tushar Mehta was arguing on behalf of ED in the lower courtDelhi Chief Minister has sought extension of interim bail on health grounds
New Delhi. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has also been made an accused in the money laundering case related to the Delhi liquor scam. ED arrested CM Kejriwal on March 21 after a long interrogation. The Supreme Court granted him bail with conditions to campaign in the Lok Sabha elections. He was also ordered to surrender before the Tihar Jail administration on June 2. Before surrendering, Arvind Kejriwal again reached the apex court and appealed to extend the interim bail period for a week on health grounds. The Supreme Court rejected his plea. However, he was allowed to go to the trial court. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta was arguing on behalf of ED in the lower court, when senior advocate Hariharan, who was pleading on behalf of CM Arvind Kejriwal, stopped him and told the court that 3 lawyers from the investigating agency were arguing. He also said that he should be heard first.
After Arvind Kejriwal’s lawyer Hariharan raised objections and requested to hear him first, the court allowed him to present his side. Senior advocate Hariharan started arguing on the maintainability of Kejriwal’s petition. On the ED’s argument, he said, are they trying to suggest that a person who is ill or whose medical condition is bad will not get any treatment? Kejriwal, while presenting his side in the court, said, ‘This is my right under Article 21. This petition is being filed due to health reasons. Nothing has been hidden from our side. Due to the health condition, not regular bail, but interim bail is being demanded.’
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I take insulin every day
Arvind Kejriwal has demanded extension of interim bail on health grounds. Interestingly, he has also filed a petition for regular bail. Arguing in favour of this in the court, CM Arvind Kejriwal said, ‘I have diabetes since 1994. I have to take insulin daily. The basic structure of the Constitution says that there should be free and fair elections. My party is one of the 6 national parties. I am a star campaigner and I have to go to different parts of the country. I was granted bail for election campaigning. If I had not campaigned due to health reasons, they would have said that I did not campaign for even a single day. That is why I campaigned even when I was unwell.’
‘Not for 2-3 years…’
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal put forth strong arguments in favour of extending the interim bail period. Senior advocate N Hariharan, representing him, said, ‘The sugar level and ketone level have increased terribly. Instead of being negative, the ketone level is 15+. It is not that I do not want to surrender, but what will happen if my health deteriorates very fast? I am not asking for bail for 2-3 years. I am asking for it only for 7 days.’ Let us tell you that the court has reserved its decision on Kejriwal’s plea till June 5.
Tags: Arvind Kejriwal, CM Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi liquor scam, Tushar Mehta
FIRST PUBLISHED : June 2, 2024, 11:59 IST