Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal approaches Supreme Court against HC’s order staying his bail, SC to hear the matter on June 26

Today (June 24, 2024), the Supreme Court (SC) of India was hearing a petition filed by the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal against the order of the Delhi Court granting interim stay on bail while reserving the order. On June 23 (Sunday), CM Kejriwal filed the petition seeking urgent listing of the matter for June 24 (Monday). Today, the SC bench constituting Justice Manoj Misra and Justice SVN Bhatti said that the HC’s decision to grant interim stay on bail to the Delhi CM without passing a final order in the money laundering case related to Delhi liquor policy scam was unusual. The bench remarked, “In stay matters, judgments are not reserved but passed on the spot. What has happened here is unusual.” Further, the SC bench fixed June 26 (Wednesday) as the next date of hearing after noting that the Delhi HC is expected to deliver the verdict on June 25 (Tuesday). The bench orally remarked, “It is not proper to interfere when the High Court has reserved its judgment…We will keep this petition for hearing for day after tomorrow.” 

Earlier on June 20, the Rouse Avenue Courts (trial court) granted bail to Kejriwal stating, “Accused is admitted to bail in the sum of Rs. 1 lakh.” The very next day, the ED (Enforcement Directorate) moved an urgent petition challenging the bail order in the Delhi HC. On the same day (June 21), the Delhi HC bench heard the matter and reserved its order. During the SC’s proceedings today, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Senior Advocate Vikram Chaudhary appeared for Kejriwal and Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju represented the ED. After hearing the matter from both sides, the bench ordered, “Orders on stay application was reserved and till then the lower court order granting bail was stayed. Parties were given the opportunity to file short submissions by June 24. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) says the order on stay application will be passed shortly and this requests for an adjournment. We deem it appropriate that the case be listed day after and if the High Court passes an order meanwhile the let that be brought on record.”