• By Vivek Raj
  • Mon, 22 Apr 2024 12:29 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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The Delhi High Court has rejected a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking 'extraordinary interim bail' for Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in all pending criminal cases, including those by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), until the completion of his tenure. The division bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora, deemed the petition as not maintainable, citing Kejriwal's current judicial custody and his ability to approach the court independently.

The court found it peculiar that the petitioner, identified as a fourth-year law student representing "We the people of India," had extended a personal bond for Kejriwal's conduct, despite lacking the authority to do so. The bench said that Kejriwal, being in judicial custody, possesses the means to seek legal recourse, as evidenced by his prior filings before the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court.

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The PIL expressed concerns over Kejriwal's safety in Tihar jail, referencing instances of custodial deaths of individuals like gangster Tillu Tajpuriya and Atiq Ahmed. However, the court dismissed these apprehensions, stating that ensuring the safety of inmates falls under the purview of jail authorities and police, not elite security forces.

The petitioner argued that as Chief Minister, Kejriwal requires round-the-clock access to top-tier medical facilities, which cannot be guaranteed under judicial custody due to security constraints. The PIL contended that only specialized commandos could ensure Kejriwal's safety, a responsibility beyond the capacity of jail authorities.

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Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the ED team on March 21 in connection to money laundering charges linked with now scrapped Delhi liquor policy case. In the liquor policy case, ED had made some high-profile arrests including Kejriwal. Former Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia and BRS leader K Kavitha are also lodged in Tihar jail after being arrested by the probe agency.