Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been granted bail by the Supreme Court on Thursday, ending a six-month period of incarceration. Kejriwal was detained by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on June 26, 2024, in connection with the excise policy scam case.
The Supreme Court’s bail decision comes with specific conditions: Kejriwal is barred from attending his office and signing official documents. Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Surya Kant, who made the ruling, acknowledged that while there was no procedural fault in his arrest, the extended duration of his detention justified the bail grant.
The court emphasized the significance of personal liberty, stating, “We have taken into consideration prolonged incarceration and personal liberty issues,” underlining the need to protect individual rights.
The case against Kejriwal involves allegations of corruption related to the Delhi government’s 2021-22 excise policy, which has since been discontinued. The accusations suggest that the policy was manipulated to benefit certain license holders, leading to kickbacks allegedly used for the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) election campaign.
Kejriwal’s defense had previously claimed that his arrest was politically motivated, intended to weaken his position ahead of forthcoming elections. The Supreme Court’s ruling allows him to resume political activities, though under stringent conditions.
Kejriwal had earlier been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21, 2024, in connection with a money laundering probe related to the excise policy, and subsequently by the CBI for its corruption investigation. The Delhi High Court had upheld the legality of his arrest on August 5, affirming that there was sufficient evidence to support the CBI’s actions.
The bail decision is considered a significant relief for Kejriwal and the AAP, particularly with key state elections approaching. However, the restrictions may affect his ability to effectively perform his duties as Chief Minister during the ongoing legal process.
Kejriwal has expressed gratitude for the court’s decision and reiterated his commitment to transparency and accountability.
