New Delhi: In a setback for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the High Court has stayed the trial court order granting him bail in Delhi Excise policy scam case. The decision came after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) challenged the trial court’s order, claiming it was "illegal and perverse".

A vacation bench of Justice Sudhir Kumar Jain said the trial court did not appreciate the materials submitted by the law enforcement agency, and that it "did not apply its mind" while deciding the AAP leader's bail plea.

The judge also said the trial court ought to have given adequate opportunity to the agency to argue its case.

"The operation of the impugned order is stayed," the bench said.

The trial court had granted bail to Kejriwal on June 20 and ordered his release on a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh.

The ED on Monday filed written submissions before the Delhi High Court opposing any relief to Delhi Chief Minister in the Excise policy scam case.

The Delhi excise policy was scrapped in 2022 after the Delhi Lieutenant Governor ordered a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities and corruption involving its formulation and execution.

According to the CBI and the ED, irregularities were committed while modifying the excise policy and undue favours extended to the license holders.

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 in this case and was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court in May to campaign for Lok Sabha elections. He was asked to return to jail on June 2.

(with inputs from agencies)