New Delhi, India – Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, was released from Tihar Jail after being imprisoned for 50 days on corruption charges related to an alleged liquor policy scam. The Supreme Court granted him bail until June 1, allowing him to campaign for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the INDIA bloc in the ongoing election for Delhi’s seven seats scheduled for May 25.
Upon his release, Kejriwal was greeted by enthusiastic AAP supporters, including his wife Sunita Kejriwal and senior party leaders. Saurabh Bhardwaj, an AAP official, hailed Kejriwal’s release as a potential “gamechanger” for the INDIA bloc in the election.
In his first public statement post-release, Kejriwal expressed gratitude to the Supreme Court judges and called on voters to “save the country from dictatorship,” emphasizing the importance of upholding democracy. He also credited Lord Hanuman for his release, announcing plans to visit a Hanuman temple in Connaught Place the following day.
Kejriwal’s bail is valid until June 1, coinciding with the final phase of voting in the election. Despite the court’s decision not to extend his bail period, arguments for further relief will be heard in the upcoming week.
The court’s decision to grant bail to Kejriwal emphasized his status as an elected Chief Minister and the leader of a national party, noting that he poses no threat and lacks a criminal record. This move was perceived as crucial in light of the ongoing election and the public interest at stake.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which had opposed Kejriwal’s bail, argued against special treatment for politicians in legal matters, highlighting the need for fair and impartial law enforcement. The BJP, on the other hand, downplayed Kejriwal’s temporary release, asserting that he would soon return to prison.
The controversy surrounding the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam, in which the AAP government was accused of accepting kickbacks for license allotment, remains a contentious issue. The AAP has refuted the allegations, claiming they are part of a smear campaign led by political rivals to undermine the party’s credibility.