Arvind Kejriwal seeks 7-day extension of interim bail from Supreme Court to complete health check-up

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) national convenorArvind Kejriwal filed a petition in the Supreme Court on Monday, May 27, seeking an extension of his interim bail by seven days, newswire ANI reported.

The apex court granted Kejriwal 21 days of interim bail on May 10 in the money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy scam. His interim bail ends on June 1, and he is directed to surrender on June 2.

In his petition, Kejriwal said he has to undergo a PET-CT scan and other tests and asked for a seven days extension in interim bail to complete the health check-up, ANI reported.

Also Read | Why SC granted interim bail to Arvind Kejriwal in excise policy case: 'Not a threat to society'

Speaking to ANI about Kejriwal's interim bail extension plea, AAP leader Atishi said that the Delhi CM lost 7 kgs during his ED custody and the sudden weight loss concerned doctors.

“When he (Kejriwal) was in ED custody, judicial custody, he lost 7 kg of weight. This sudden weight loss is a matter of concern for doctors. Despite being out of custody and under medical supervision, he has not been able to regain that weight again,” she said. 

Atishi added that early tests have indicated that his ketone levels are extremely high. Unexplained sudden weight loss, along with high ketone levels, could be the indicator of some serious medical ailments, including damage to the kidneys and cancer, she said. “Therefore doctors have suggested that he needs to have a set of series of investigations including PET scan of his entire body and other such serious tests.” 

Supreme Court's 5 conditions for Kejriwal's bail

The Supreme Court bench comprising Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Dattagranted interim bail to Kejriwal and set five conditions, one of which prohibited him from contacting any witnesses involved in the case.

• Before being released from jail, Kejriwal had to furnish a personal bond of ₹50,000.
• He is prohibited from visiting the Chief Minister's Office and the Delhi Secretariat.
• A statement made on his behalf obliges him to ensure that he does not sign official files unless necessary and is required to obtain clearance approval from Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena.
• He is prohibited from commenting on his involvement in the Excise Policy case.
• He is barred from interacting with any witnesses involved in the case or accessing official files related to the proceedings.

Also Read | 'Here I am': Arvind Kejriwal exits Tihar jail after SC grants interim bail | Watch

While granting interim bail, the SC considered Kejriwal as the Chief Minister of Delhi and leader of one of the national parties.

On the question of an under-trial person being granted bail for campaigning for the polls, the Supreme Court said, "No doubt, serious accusations have been made, but he has not been convicted. He does not have any criminal antecedents. He is not a threat to society."

Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 concerning the alleged scam in the Delhi Excise policy. Later, he was sent to judicial custody and lodged in Tihar Jail.