SC Registry refuses to list Arvind Kejriwal’s plea for extension of interim bail

SC Registry refuses to list Arvind Kejriwal’s plea for extension of interim bail
New Delhi: In a setback to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the Supreme Court Registry on Wednesday refused to list for hearing his plea seeking extension of his 21-day interim bail by seven days on medical grounds in a money-laundering case linked to the excise ‘scam’.

The Registry termed Kejriwal’s application “not maintainable” on the grounds that he was given liberty by the top court to move the trial court for regular bail.

It pointed out that a Bench led by Justice Sanjiv Khanna – which on May 10 granted 21-day interim bail to Kejriwal to campaign in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls – has already reserved its judgment on his petition challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate, sources said.

Arrested on March 21 by the ED – the AAP national convener was released on a 21-day interim bail by the top court on May 10 to campaign in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. He was ordered to surrender on June 2.

The Supreme Court had on May 17 reserved its verdict on Kejriwal’s petition challenging his arrest by the ED in the case. The top court had, however, said ‘without prejudice to his rights and contentions’, Kejriwal was free to move the trial court for grant of bail “in accordance with law”.

Refusing to urgently list Kejriwal’s plea seeking one-week extension of his interim bail in a money-laundering case linked to the excise ‘scam’ on medical grounds, a Vacation Bench of Justice JK Maheshwari and Justice KV Viswanathan had on Tuesday referred his plea to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud for taking a call.

Senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi had mentioned Kejriwal’s plea before the Vacation Bench for urgent listing, saying the Chief Minister has been advised certain medical tests that would take a week.

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