The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to the Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, for corruption charges in the excise policy case. Kejriwal is set free after serving six months in prison. A two-judge bench with Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan ordered Kejriwal’s release against his plea, challenging the Delhi High Court’s decision. “Kejriwal satisfies the triple condition for the grant of bail and we order accordingly,” the bench said in the verdict.
Granting the bail, Justice Surya Kant said Kejriwal’s arrest by CBI was legal, and Kejriwal would be released subject to a bail bond of Rs 10 lakh. He added that Kejriwal, cannot publicly comment on the case following his release, and he has to be available for trial unless exempted.
“FIR was on August 2022 and 4 chargesheets have been filed and the trial court has taken cognisance and 17 accused to be examined.. completion of the trial is unlikely in the near future. Kejriwal satisfies the triple condition for the grant of bail and we order accordingly,” Justice Kant said.
The two-judge bench shared different opinions in the case, with Justice Kant calling the arrest legal while Justice Bhuyan said the timing raised questions.
Justice Bhuyan claimed CBI’s arrest was only a measure to make meaningless bail in the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) case. “CBI must ensure that the perception of it being a ‘caged parrot’ is discarded. It must be above board,” he said.
Bhuyan initially expressed disapproval of restraining Kejriwal from doing the duties of CM, like going to the office or signing files, but eventually, he nodded in approval of these conditions, which were imposed by a different bench while granting bail in the ED case.
History of the excise policy case
Initially, Kejriwal was taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) amid the irregularities in the liquor policy in March 2024. Following this, he was granted an interim bail in May by the apex court to carry out his election campaign. The interim bail ended on June 1, and he surrendered in prison on June 2.
CBI arrested him on June 26, while he was in custody of the Enforcement Directorate. The top court permitted his release on July 12, in the money laundering probe by the Enforcement Directorate. However, he still remained in the custody as CBI was investigating a separate case in the excise policy.
AAP’s reaction
The Aam Aadmi Party is filled with joy and celebration as their leader is released ahead of the Haryana election. Arvind Kejriwal is all set to lead the election campaign in Haryana.
“It has been proven once again that there is no other politician as true, honest and patriot like Arvind Kejriwal. BJP hatched thousands of conspiracy to arrest him. An honest man who was working to improve the lives of people was jailed, there is no greater sin than this in the history of democracy. Today, we salute and thank the Supreme Court, Constitution and Babasaheb,” Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said.
Sisodia, who was released last month, added, “This is not a victory of truth, lies have also been exposed. Supreme Court observed that arrest by CBI was planned to stop his release in the ED case…People prayed for him and their prayers have been answered today, I thank them and the Almighty…”
AAP leader Raghav Chadha said, “There is a wave of joy in Delhi and the country… Arvind Kejriwal will lead the campaign for the AAP in the upcoming Haryana elections now”
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