Supreme Court Postpones Hearing on Kejriwal’s Bail Plea, Criticizes High Court's 'Unusual' Procedure

New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has postponed the hearing on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s request to overturn the Delhi High Court’s interim stay on his bail order. The next hearing is set for Wednesday, June 26, with the High Court expected to deliver its full verdict on Tuesday.

The Supreme Court pointed out the atypical nature of the High Court’s approach in reserving its order on the bail stay. Justice Manoj Misra remarked, “In stay matters, orders are typically issued immediately, not reserved. This situation is unusual.” The court emphasized that intervening before the High Court’s decision would be premature.

The High Court had stayed the lower court’s decision to grant bail to Kejriwal following an appeal from the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which contested the trial court’s ruling. This stay halts the execution of the bail order until the High Court issues its final judgment.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, argued that the Chief Minister should remain free until the High Court decides on the ED’s appeal. Singhvi highlighted that Kejriwal is not a flight risk, especially with a bail order already in place. He stressed the importance of Kejriwal’s continued freedom until the High Court’s verdict is announced.

The Supreme Court acknowledged Singhvi’s points but maintained that issuing an order before the High Court’s verdict would be prejudging the case. “It is not proper to interfere when the High Court has reserved its judgment,” the Supreme Court noted.

This legal issue arises from an ongoing Enforcement Directorate investigation into alleged financial irregularities involving Kejriwal. The trial court initially granted bail to Kejriwal, but the ED’s challenge has now escalated the matter to higher courts.

The Supreme Court’s decision to delay the hearing underscores its cautious approach in high-profile cases. The forthcoming High Court verdict on Tuesday is highly anticipated, as it will significantly impact Kejriwal’s political future and broader legal precedents regarding bail procedures.

As this legal drama unfolds, all attention will be on the High Court’s decision, which will likely influence the Supreme Court’s next steps in this crucial case.