New Delhi

A Delhi court on Wednesday (June 5) rejected Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal's interim bail plea in the excise policy scam case.

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The Delhi chief minister had moved an application for interim bail citing medical concerns.

While dismissing the bail plea, the Rouse Avenue Court directed the Tihar Jail Authorities to take care of Kejriwal's medical requirements. 

The court extended his judicial custody until June 19. He was produced before the court via virtual mode.

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During arguments, Senior Advocate N Hariharan, who appeared for Kejriwal, submitted that "the interim bail was for the purpose of campaigning for my party, which is a national party...I am out for 20 days and had I not done it, you would've said he didn't campaign and fell ill. It was a lot of stress due to the campaigning, and you know that stress is an aggravator of diabetes. What was alarming was that KETO levels rose in the urine. The aspect of concern is high level of sugar and the keto numbers."

The Rouse Avenue Court had reserved its ruling on Kejriwal's bail extension plea on Jun 1.

The AAP chief had surrendered on June 2 after the interim bail granted by the Supreme Court ended.

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The Delhi court had earlier rejected Kejriwal’s request for a seven-day extension of bail in the excise policy scam case. He was initially released from jail on May 10 on interim bail granted by the Supreme Court which allowed him to campaign for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, voting for which concluded on June 1.

He was arrested in connection with a money laundering case linked to the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam in March.

Also read: Arvind Kejriwal's AAP fades as 'INDIA' shines

'Going back to jail for saving country from dictatorship'

Before surrendering to the police, Kejriwal said that he was "proud" of going back to jail as he was doing it "to save the country from dictatorship."

“I have to surrender on June 2 and I do not know how long I will stay in jail this time. I am going to jail for saving this country from dictatorship and I am proud of it,” the chief minister told a virtual press conference.

“They tried to break me. They stopped my medicines while I was in jail. My weight reduced by six kg after being arrested. My weight was 70 kg when I was arrested. I have not gained weight after coming out of jail,” Kejriwal further said.

Doctors have advised several tests and “they feel this could be a sign of some underlying medical condition”, he added. 

(With inputs from agencies)