Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Credit: PTI File Photo
New Delhi: A Delhi court on Wednesday rejected a plea for interim bail made by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the liquor policy scam case.
Special Judge Kaveri Baweja, while refusing to grant bail to Kejriwal, extended his judicial custody till June 19.
Kejriwal's counsel Vivek Jain submitted that his client has serious health concerns.
The judge, however, asked him to move an appropriate application in this regard for bail and did not pass a favourable order.
The court also issued certain directions for his diagnostic tests to be conducted.
Kejriwal had moved a plea for interim bail, seeking seven days time to undergo a series of tests owing to his ill health. He has also filed a plea for regular bail.
Kejriwal sought interim bail as well as regular bail in the liquor policy scam case.
The court had fixed June 7 as the date for hearing on the application for regular bail.
During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Enforcement Directorate had opposed the plea by Kejriwal.
He had raised preliminary objections, claiming false statements have been made on health conditions. Mehta said the applicant claimed he has lost seven kilogram weight but in fact, he has gained one kilogram weight during his stay in jail.
The counsel also said he was technically asking for extension of the Supreme Court's interim bail.
"Can the entire system be taken for a joyride like this? This is being used for oblique reasons," the Solicitor General had asked.
He pointed out that there has not been any medical examination of the applicant after May 25.
Senior advocate N Hariharan, appearing for the applicant, had then submitted his medical situation forced him to seek interim bail for seven days. A person who has faced a medical situation can't be left remediless. He said the Supreme Court has also allowed him to approach the trial court for the bail. The counsel denied the charge of suppressing material facts.
Kejriwal sought a direction for an extension of his interim bail by another seven days, citing that he has to undergo PET-CT scan and other tests.
Kejriwal, in his plea, claimed that since his arrest he had lost 7 kgs. His Ketone level had gone very high, which could be a symptom of a serious disease.
The Enforcement Directorate had called Kejriwal as the kingpin and the main conspirator of the scam. It has also filed a charge sheet earlier this month naming Kejriwal and Aam Aadmi Party as accused in the case.