SC grants interim bail to Arvind Kejriwal in PMLA case, says he should take a call on stepping down as chief minister
The Hindu
Supreme Court grants interim bail to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in money laundering case, questions need for arrest.
The Supreme Court on July 12 granted interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in money laundering charges linked to the Delhi excise policy case, but asked him to take a call on whether he should now step down from office in light of the allegations arraigned against him.
A Bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta underscored that Mr. Kejriwal occupies an office of influence as well as constitutional importance.
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The court cannot direct an elected leader to step down from the office of a “functional” Chief Minister, Justice Khanna said.
It would be better if Mr. Kejriwal himself made a decision, Justice Khanna noted.
This is the second time the Supreme Court has allowed interim bail to Mr. Kejriwal. The first instance was on May 10, allowing the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party to campaign in the Lok Sabha elections. Mr. Kejriwal had surrendered on June 2.
Justice Khanna said Mr. Kejriwal deserved interim bail. His rights of life and liberty were “sacrosanct”. He has been incarcerated for over 90 days.