'Poll campaigning not fundamental right’: ED opposes Arvind Kejriwal's interim bail
PTC News Desk: The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday opposed the interim bail plea to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in Supreme Court.
The probe agency filed a fresh affidavit in the top Court to oppose Kejriwal's bail in a money-laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam.
The ED has stated that Kejriwal will not run in the Lok Sabha elections, and no political leader has ever been given interim bail for campaigning. The agency stated that the liberty to campaign for an election is neither a fundamental nor a constitutional right.
"It is relevant to note that the right to campaign for an election is neither a fundamental right nor a constitutional right and not even a legal right," ED said. "No political leader has been granted interim bail for campaigning even though he is not the contesting candidate. Even a contesting candidate is not granted interim bail if he is in custody for his own campaigning," it added.
"If the Right to campaign is treated as a basis to grant interim bail then it would violate Article 14 and differential treatment cannot be given to a politician."
Earlier on Wednesday, Justice Sanjiv Khanna stated, "We will pronounce the interim order (on bail) on Friday. The main matter related to the challenge to arrest will also be taken up on the same day."
Meanwhile, a Delhi court on Tuesday extended Kejriwal's judicial custody in the case till May 20.
- With inputs from agencies
