New Delhi, Sep 13
In a major relief to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the Supreme Court on Friday granted him bail in the corruption case linked to the alleged liquor policy scam, but set some conditions.
However, Justice Surya Kant, heading a two-judge bench, dismissed his distinct plea challenging the legality of arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the alleged liquor scam and the subsequent remand.
Justice Kant held that there exists “no merit” in the contention that the CBI failed to adhere to the procedural law governing arrest and that Kejriwal's arrest did not suffer from any procedural infirmities.
“We have pointed out that (CBI’s) FIR was registered in August 2022 and four supplementary charge sheets have been filed. Additionally, 17 accused persons have been named, over 200 individuals have been identified as witnesses and extensive documents, both physical and digital, have been submitted. These factors suggest that completion of the trial is unlikely to occur in the immediate future,” said Justice Kant, adding that “prolonged incarceration of an accused person pending trial amounts to an unjust deprivation of personal liberty.”
“The appellant is directed to be released on bail in connection with the CBI's FIR, subject to furnishing bail bonds of Rs 10 lakh with two sureties of such like amount to the satisfaction of the trial court,” the top court ordered.