Why Is Kejriwal Asking For Extension Of Interim Bail After Saying He’d Surrender: ED

New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday opposed Arvind Kejriwal’s plea in a Delhi court seeking an extension of interim bail for seven days on medical grounds.

ED claimed the Delhi chief minister made false statements about losing 6 kg in jail, and had, instead, gained 1 kg.

Special judge Kaveri Baweja of Rouse Avenue Court said that the order will be pronounced on June 5.

Kejriwal had said said in a video statement that he would surrender before the Tihar Jail on Sunday. He also claimed that his sudden weight loss could be an indication of a serious disease.

The Delhi CM first moved Supreme Court for an extension of his interim bail, but the top court refused to entertain it and told him he had the liberty to move the trial court seeking “regular bail”.

He then applied for regular bail in Delhi’s Rouse Avenue court claiming that he needed seven days for several medical tests to rule out the possibility of a disease.

On Saturday, ED argued that Kejriwal suppressed the nature of tests and questioned why he didn’t undergo the tests during the bail period instead of travelling across the country for election campaign.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta pointed out that the Delhi CM had declared on Friday that he would surrender on Sunday. “Is he taking a chance before surrendering? He is not voluntarily surrendering. We were misled by yesterday’s press conference,” Mehta said.

ED argued that Supreme Court had granted him liberty to seek regular bail, and not extension of interim bail.

Additional Solicitor General SV Raju said for the grant of bail, Kejriwal would have to be in custody first. “He has to surrender first, either he has to be in custody or he has to be deemed to be in custody and no order is there for the same… So interim bail is not maintainable,” said Raju.