May 10th 2024.
On Friday evening, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was released from Tihar Jail after the Supreme Court granted him interim bail in a money laundering case. This decision came as a huge relief for his party, which has been struggling to gain momentum in the absence of their foremost leader.
However, the court imposed certain restrictions, prohibiting Kejriwal from visiting his office or the Delhi secretariat and signing official files without the lieutenant governor's approval. He was given 21 days to campaign for the remaining phases of the Lok Sabha elections, after spending 50 days in custody for the money laundering case linked to the alleged Delhi excise scam. The court also ordered him to surrender on June 2, a day after the last phase of the seven-phase poll.
Upon his release, the 55-year-old Kejriwal expressed gratitude towards the Supreme Court judges for granting him interim bail and thanked the people for their blessings. He also stated his determination to fight against dictatorship and called for the support of the 140 crore people of the country.
Wearing a round neck T-shirt and trousers, Kejriwal stepped out of Tihar Jail with a smile on his face. He invited his supporters to join him in visiting the Hanuman temple at Connaught Place the next day for his "darshan". His car was surrounded by scores of yellow AAP flags with their broom election symbol, as he made his way to the chief minister's official residence.
The news of Kejriwal's release was met with jubilation among the INDIA bloc parties, with his own party terming it a "triumph of truth". AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, who is also an accused in the money laundering case, took to social media to share his thoughts in Hindi.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah downplayed Kejriwal's release, stating that it was only an interim bail and every time he campaigns, people will be reminded of the excise scam. However, Kejriwal's wife Sunita, who has been filling in for her husband during his absence from the electoral battleground, expressed her joy and gratitude towards the people for their prayers and blessings.
Kejriwal's release is expected to give a boost to AAP's Lok Sabha campaign in Delhi, where polling is scheduled for May 25. The apex court, while imposing a string of bail conditions on Kejriwal, directed him to furnish bail bonds of Rs 50,000 with one surety of the same amount to the satisfaction of the jail superintendent.
Rejecting the argument of the Enforcement Directorate counsel that granting interim bail for campaigning would set a precedent, the court stated that it is a common practice in a number of cases. It also noted that Kejriwal is not a convicted criminal, does not have any criminal history, and is not a threat to society.
The court emphasized the significance of the Lok Sabha elections, stating that it is the most important event of the year and provides the "vis viva" to a democracy. It took into consideration the fact that Kejriwal is the chief minister and leader of a national party while granting him interim bail.
The bench also took note of the fact that the investigation in the case has been pending for a long time and Kejriwal was arrested only in March this year. It clarified that the grant of interim bail should not be considered as an opinion on the merits of the case and that the judgement on his petition will be pronounced before the summer vacations start on May 20.
The matter pertains to alleged corruption and money laundering in the formulation and execution of the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22. The apex court will continue to hear arguments on Kejriwal's plea against his arrest next week and will try to pronounce the judgement before the summer vacations start.
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