In a significant legal setback, the Supreme Court on Wednesday denied interim relief to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the ongoing CBI investigation concerning the alleged irregularities in the Delhi excise policy. The apex court's decision has added to the mounting challenges faced by Kejriwal and his administration.

A Bench led by Justice Surya Kant declined to grant immediate interim bail to the Delhi CM, choosing instead to issue a notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for their response to Kejriwal's bail plea. The court's refusal to provide instant relief means that Kejriwal remains under the cloud of the CBI probe without any temporary protection from arrest.

The CBI case against Kejriwal has drawn significant political and public attention, with allegations that the Delhi government's excise policy was manipulated to favor certain private players. Kejriwal and his party, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), have consistently denied any wrongdoing, claiming that the charges are politically motivated.

In court, Kejriwal's legal team argued for interim bail, citing his position as a sitting Chief Minister and the need to continue performing his official duties without the threat of arrest hanging over his head. However, the Supreme Court remained unconvinced, opting to follow due process and allowing the CBI time to present their case against granting bail.

The court's decision comes at a critical time for Kejriwal, who has been facing increasing pressure from opposition parties and a series of legal challenges. The denial of interim bail could further complicate his political standing and the functioning of his government in Delhi.

The next steps in the case will hinge on the CBI's response to the Supreme Court's notice. As the legal proceedings continue, all eyes will be on how this development impacts Kejriwal's political future and the ongoing governance of Delhi.