New Delhi: During the hearing of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s plea challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Delhi Liquor Policy case, the Supreme Court on Friday (May 3) mentioned that it might review the matter of interim bail due to the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
“It appears we can’t complete today. We will post it on Tuesday morning itself. Mr Raju one more thing. If it is going to take time, it does appear it may take time, we may then consider the question of interim bail because of the elections. We may hear on that part because of elections,” Justice Khanna told Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, LiveLaw reported.
The case is scheduled for its next hearing on May 7.
Earlier, the apex court had asked the ED on why Kejriwal was arrested just before the general elections began.
The top court bench comprising Justices Sanjeev Khanna and Dipankar Datta had said, “Life and liberty are exceedingly important. You can’t deny that.”
No attachment action has been taken so far in this case, and if it has been done, then show how Kejriwal is involved in the matter,” Justice Khanna said. “Tell me, why the arrest before the general elections?” he said.
Several countries, including the US and Germany, have raised concerns over the Delhi chief minister’s arrest. The foreign media has also criticised the crackdown on opposition as a “stain on democracy”.
Even the United Nations responded to Kejriwal’s arrest. “What we very much hope that in India, as in any country that is having elections, that everyone’s rights are protected, including political and civil rights, and everyone is able to vote in an atmosphere that is free and fair,” spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric said, on March 29.
He made these remarks while responding to a question on the “political unrest” in India ahead of the elections.