If granted bail, Arvind Kejriwal can only campaign, not be CM: SC
PTC News Desk: Supreme Court on Tuesday said that if it grants interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the money laundering case related to now- replead excise policy case, he cannot perform official duties of Chief Minister because the apex court does not want interference at all in the functioning of the government.
The Supreme Court has advised Kejriwal's lawyer that if it grants interim bail to the Chief Minister, he should not do official activities since it will lead to conflict.
The court stated that if there had been no elections, it would not have granted interim relief, adding, "We do not want any interference in the functioning of the government."
The Supreme Court further stated that Arvind Kejriwal is the elected Chief Minister of Delhi, and the current circumstances are special, given the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
Notably, the apex court will resume arguments in Kejriwal's case at 2:00 p.m. for half an hour, and Kejriwal may be granted interim bail today.
Meanwhile, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing ED, opposed the Supreme Court hearing arguments on interim bail for Kejriwal, saying, "What example are we setting? Are other people less important than the Chief Minister?"
Mehta went on to say that there can't be any deviation just because Kejriwal is the Chief Minister and questioned whether the Supreme Court makes exceptions for politicians. "How can a Chief Minister be treated differently from a 'Aam Aadmi.' There cannot be any deviation only because he is the Chief Minister...," Mehta continued.
Mehta claimed that Kejriwal ignored the summons for six months, saying, "Please do not make an exception as it would demoralise a real common man and it shows that if you hold a position, you will benefit.
- PTC NEWS
