In a pivotal legal battle, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has strongly opposed granting interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for campaigning during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The agency’s stance, outlined in a recent affidavit, challenges the notion of campaigning as a fundamental, constitutional, or legal right.
The ED’s opposition comes as the Supreme Court prepares to rule on Mr. Kejriwal’s plea for temporary release to engage in campaign activities. Notably, the probe agency argues that no political leader has historically received bail specifically for campaigning, citing concerns about setting a precedent.
During a recent hearing, the Supreme Court acknowledged Mr. Kejriwal’s elected status and non-habitual offender background but also emphasized the exceptional nature of the circumstances surrounding the bail request. The ED’s affidavit emphasizes that the right to campaign is not a guaranteed right under Indian law, drawing attention to the equality principle where all citizens and institutions, including the State, are subject to the same legal standards.
Highlighting the potential ripple effects of granting bail for campaigning, the ED posits that such a decision could lead to a wave of similar requests from politicians across various elections, ultimately undermining the integrity of the legal system.
The ED’s arguments echo concerns raised during previous hearings, where questions were raised about the delay in taking action against Mr. Kejriwal and his party. The Supreme Court had also questioned the investigative agency about the lengthy timeline of the case.
Sources By Agencies
