Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has filed a plea in the Supreme Court seeking an extension of his interim bail by seven more days on health grounds in a money laundering case linked to the excise policy scam. In his fresh plea, he sought the extension of the interim bail on health grounds, stating that he has lost seven kgs since his arrest in March. Reacting to this Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) minister Atishi said that the Delhi Chief Minister's s sudden weight loss as well as high ketone levels are a matter of concern for doctors.
Atishi on Kejriwal's bail extension plea
"Initial tests indicated that his ketone levels were very high. Sudden weight loss and high ketone levels can be a sign of some serious diseases, including kidney damage, and cancer," She said, adding doctors have suggested him to take various tests including a full body PET scan and other such serious tests. "For such diseases, detecting them early on is very important since these are rapidly progressing diseases. This is why we have asked for a 7-day extension so that he can get these tests done and start on whatever medication needs to be started. And he will surrender one week later on June 9 instead of June 2," the AAP minister added.
Kejriwal was released on interim bail
After being released from jail, Kejriwal has been involved in campaigning for the I.N.D.I.A bloc for the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. The bail is applicable till June 1 and the Delhi CM has to surrender to authorities on June 2. He has been allowed to participate in the poll campaigning but can not attend his office as Chief Minister. Imposing certain conditions while granting Kejriwal interim bail, the apex court said he would not interact with any of the witnesses or have access to any official files connected with the case.
Why was Kejriwal arrested?
It is pertinent to mention here that Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in an excise policy case on March 21, days after the election schedule for the general elections was announced. The matter relates to alleged corruption and money laundering in the formulation and execution of the Delhi government's now-scrapped excise policy for 2021-22. It is alleged that the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22 to grant licences to liquor traders allowed cartelisation and favoured certain dealers who had allegedly paid bribes for it, a charge repeatedly refuted by the AAP.
(With inputs from agencies)
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