New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the alleged Delhi excise policy scam.
The decision came in response to Kejriwal's plea challenging his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and seeking bail.
The AAP chief was taken into custody by the CBI on June 26, nearly two years after the case was initiated.
Justice Bhuyan slams CBI
While granting bail, Justice Ujjal Bhuyan on Friday made a strong observation on the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in relation to the arrest of Kejriwal in the excise policy case, saying that it is imperative that the cenral probe agency dispel the notion of being a "caged parrot."
"It is imperative that the CBI "dispels the notion of being a caged parrot", rather the perception should be that of an "uncaged parrot"," said Justice Bhuyan, who authored a separate but concurring opinion in the judgement granting bail to Kejriwal.
Two-Judge bench
"CBI is a premier investigating agency of the country. It is in the public interest that the CBI must not only be above board but must also be seen to be so. Every effort must be made to remove any perception that the investigation was not carried out fairly and that the arrest was made in a high-handed and biased manner.
"In a functional democracy governed by the rule of law, perception matters... Not long ago, this court castigated the CBI, comparing it to a caged parrot. It is imperative that CBI dispel the notion of it being a caged parrot. Rather, the perception should be that of an uncaged parrot," the bench said.
The bench, also comprised of Justice Surya Kant, granted bail to Kejriwal in the CBI case. While Justice Kant upheld the legality of the CBI's arrest, Justice Bhuyan dissented on the issue.
The apex court was hearing the plea of Kejriwal seeking bail and challenging his arrest by the CBI. The top court today, while granting bail to him, imposed certain conditions on him, saying he will not make any public comment on the merits of the case and cooperate in the trial of the case. "Bail conditions imposed in the ED matter shall apply in this case," said Justice Kant. (with Agency inputs)
