Kejriwal moves SC seeking 7-day extension of interim bail on health grounds
The Delhi CM, in his fresh plea, has sought an extension of the interim bail by seven more days on health grounds, including that he has lost weight by 7 kg
Seeking an extension of his interim bail by seven more days on the grounds that he has to undergo some medical tests, including a PET-CT scan, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday (May 26) moved the Supreme Court ahead of his scheduled return to jail on June 2.
The top court had on May 10 granted 21-day interim bail to the chief minister, who was arrested in a money laundering case linked to the excise policy scam, to enable him to campaign for the Lok Sabha polls.
However, the interim bail was granted with some riders and the apex courts had directed Kejriwal to turn himself in on June 2, a day after the last phase of the seven-phase poll is over.
High ketone indicates serious illness
The chief minister, in his fresh plea filed on May 26, has sought extension of the interim bail by seven more days on health grounds, including that he has lost 7 kg and that his ketone levels are “too high”, a possible indicator of a serious ailment.
In his plea the chief minister said he is required to undergo some medical tests, including a PET-CT scan, and that the interim bail, which is ending on June 1, be extended for a week. PET-CT scan shows detailed pictures of organs and tissues.
While setting him free for campaigning in the remaining phases of the Lok Sabha elections after 50 days of custody in the case, the court had barred him from visiting his office or the Delhi secretariat and signing official files unless absolutely necessary for obtaining the lieutenant governor's approval.
Bail with tough conditions
While imposing a strong bail conditions on Kejriwal, the apex court had directed him to furnish bail bonds of Rs 50,000 with one surety of the like amount to the satisfaction of the jail superintendent.
A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta had rejected the argument of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) counsel that granting Kejriwal on interim bail to campaign in the elections will be without a precedent.
The matter relates to alleged corruption and money laundering in the formulation and execution of the Delhi government's now-scrapped excise policy for 2021–22.
The ED had on October 30 last year sent first summons to Kejriwal in the money laundering case for appearance on November 2, 2023. Several summons were also issued subsequently.
On March 21, the Delhi High Court refused to grant him protection from arrest on his petition challenging summons issued to him. The ED arrested Kejriwal shortly after that.
(With agency inputs)
