क्या केजरीवाल को मिलेगी जमानत! सुप्रीम कोर्ट

The Supreme Court will decide on Thursday whether Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal should be released on bail in the corruption case linked to the alleged liquor policy scam. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan will resume hearing on his plea challenging his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as well as his separate bail plea. Recently, the apex court had approved the bail pleas of senior AAP leader and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Sisodia, BRS leader K. Kavitha and AAP's former communication in-charge Vijay Nair in the excise policy case.

In his special leave petition filed before the Supreme Court, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener has challenged his arrest and subsequent remand orders and also pressed for bail in the corruption case. On the other hand, while seeking dismissal of CM Kejriwal's plea, the CBI said the AAP supremo is only attempting to politically sensationalise the matter while repeated orders passed by various courts are prima facie satisfied of the commission of offences for which cognizance has already been taken.

The central probe agency said though CM Kejriwal does not hold any ministerial position in the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCT), all decisions of the government as well as the party are taken with his consent and directions, adding that these include decisions taken not only in Delhi but across the country where the AAP has a presence. Over time it came to light that all crucial decisions in the formulation of the new Excise Policy were taken at the behest of petitioner Kejriwal in connivance with the then Deputy Chief Minister and Excise Minister Manish Sisodia. "As the investigation progressed, it became clear that he had a key role in the formulation of the new excise policy," the CBI said in an affidavit filed in the apex court.

The Supreme Court had on July 12 ordered the release of CM Kejriwal on interim bail in connection with the money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). However, he has not been able to come out of jail since he was arrested by the CBI. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, a court here took cognizance of the chargesheet filed by the CBI against CM Kejriwal and other accused in the alleged liquor policy scam. Special Judge Kaveri Baveja issued a production warrant for CM Kejriwal on September 11, also extending his custody till the same date.