Excise policy 'scam': Supreme Court to deliver verdict on Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's bail plea on Friday

The Supreme Court is set to deliver its verdict on a bail plea filed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday, with a bench headed by Justice Surya Kant slated to pronounce the decision.

The bail plea was filed in connection to the AAP Supremo's arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and subsequent jailing in a case related the alleged irregularities in the now scrapped Delhi excise policy.

On September 5, the top court reserved its decision on the Delhi Chief Minister's bail plea and his challenge against his arrest by the CBI in the alleged excise scam.


Kejriwal was arrested by the CBI on June 26.

Kejriwal contended that his arrest was a strategic move. Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi argued that the arrest, which followed Kejriwal's bail in a related money laundering case, was unexpected after nearly two years without action from the CBI.

Singhvi referred to it as an "insurance arrest," highlighting the timing of the arrest just after a Supreme Court judgment and without prior notice.

Singhvi argued before Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan that Kejriwal, holding a constitutional position, poses no flight risk and was not mentioned in the CBI's First Information Report (FIR). He also noted that the trial court's arrest order was issued ex-parte.

The case involves alleged irregularities in the Delhi excise policy, which was scrapped in 2022 following a CBI probe ordered by the Delhi lieutenant governor. The CBI and ED allege that the policy's changes led to corruption and undue benefits for license holders.

Kejriwal has appealed against the Delhi High Court's August 5 ruling that upheld his arrest and suggested he might influence witnesses. Although granted bail in the money laundering case, Kejriwal remains in custody under the CBI's charges.