New Delhi, In a significant development, a Delhi court has denied interim bail to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who sought a temporary release on medical grounds amid ongoing legal proceedings in a money laundering case linked to an alleged excise policy scam.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Special Judge Kaveri Baweja of the Rouse Avenue Court declined the bail request and scheduled a hearing for Kejriwal’s regular bail plea on June 7. The Chief Minister, who participated in the court session via video conference from Tihar Jail, was ordered to remain in judicial custody until June 19.

During the proceedings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, representing the Enforcement Directorate (ED), argued against the bail plea. They labeled the request unviable and accused Kejriwal of potentially misusing interim bail privileges for political campaigning. The defense, led by senior advocate N. Hariharan, asserted that Kejriwal’s deteriorating health, specifically aggravated diabetes among other issues, necessitated the bail request.

The ED countered by asserting that necessary medical tests could be conducted within the jail facilities, accusing Kejriwal of attempting to avoid formal surrender processes. The Chief Minister had surrendered to Tihar Jail authorities on June 2, following the expiration of a Supreme Court-granted interim bail that was aligned with the general elections, which ended on June 1.