SC junks ED's plea seeking action against Kejriwal over speech
The Supreme Court has dismissed the Enforcement Directorate's plea seeking action against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over a campaign speech. During a political rally on Wednesday, Kejriwal, who was granted bail last week, claimed that if the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance comes to power, he would not have to return to jail on June 2. The ED objected to this speech, calling it a "slap on the face of the system."
Justices clarify position on Kejriwal's interim bail
The bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta rejected the ED's plea, saying, "We welcome criticism of the verdict. We will not go into that." "Our order is clear when he (Kejriwal) has to surrender. It is the order of the apex court, and the rule of law shall be governed by this." The bench also clarified that no special treatment was given to Kejriwal in granting him interim bail for campaigning in the Lok Sabha elections.
Kejriwal will go back to jail on June 2
The ruling came while hearing a plea by Kejriwal challenging his arrest in the excise policy case by the ED. On May 10, the Supreme Court granted Kejriwal interim bail until June 1—nearly two months after his arrest by the ED in connection with a money laundering probe linked to the Delhi excise policy. Kejriwal will have to surrender and go back to jail on June 2.
Amit Shah accuses Kejriwal of contempt of court
Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also objected to Kejriwal's speech, calling it contempt of the Supreme Court. "So what he wants to say is that if he wins, even if he is guilty, the Supreme Court will not send him to jail. Now the judges who pronounced the judgment have to see if their judgment is used or misused," Shah said.
