Arvind Kejriwal Walks Free: Supreme Court Grants Bail, But His Powers Are Still Curbed!

Arvind Kejriwal Gets Bail After 6 Months, Can't Go to Office Or Sign Files

Arvind Kejriwal Bail: The AAP leader can now leave jail - after nearly six months in prison without a trial - after having secured bail in the earlier case filed by the Enforcement Directorate.

Supreme Court's Decision on Arvind Kejriwal’s Bail

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been granted bail by the Supreme Court, which ruled his "prolonged incarceration amounts to unjust deprivation of liberty." The AAP leader was arrested by the CBI in June in connection with the alleged liquor excise policy case. Though he can now leave jail, he cannot go to his office or the Delhi Secretariat, or sign files without Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena's approval.

The Court's Differing Opinions

In a brief session, Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Surya Kant delivered separate verdicts on Mr. Kejriwal's two pleas but agreed that the Chief Minister must be released. However, they disagreed on the legality of the CBI's arrest, with Justice Kant upholding the arrest and Justice Bhuyan questioning the timing of the agency's action.

Similar Bail Verdicts for Co-accused

Like Kejriwal, other key figures in the case, including former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and Telangana politician K Kavitha, were also granted bail on similar grounds, with the court noting that a trial would not be concluded in the immediate future.

Kejriwal’s Challenges to CBI Arrest

Kejriwal had also challenged his CBI arrest, calling it an "insurance arrest" that came just days after the trial court granted him bail in the ED case. Justice Bhuyan questioned why the CBI became active only after the trial court’s bail order, suggesting that Kejriwal's further detention was unjust.

"Bail is the Rule, Jail an Exception"

Justice Bhuyan emphasized that bail is a rule, not an exception, and pointed out that further detention of Kejriwal by the CBI under the same predicate offense is legally untenable. He reiterated the importance of presumption of innocence and fair investigation.

AAP's Reaction to Kejriwal's Bail

AAP leaders and supporters greeted the news with joy. Kejriwal's wife, Sunita Kejriwal, took to political platforms, denouncing the ruling BJP’s actions, while Manish Sisodia celebrated the court's decision, stating, "Truth has won." AAP MP Raghav Chadha echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing how much the party missed Kejriwal’s leadership.

Impact on Upcoming Haryana Elections

Kejriwal’s release comes at a strategic time, just weeks before the Haryana Assembly election, where the AAP is contesting all 90 seats. Talks with the Congress for a seat-sharing arrangement had failed, adding weight to AAP’s independent efforts in the state.

The Delhi Liquor Policy Case: Explained

The liquor excise policy case involves allegations that Kejriwal and the AAP received kickbacks amounting to ₹100 crore. Federal agencies, including the ED and CBI, claim that this money was used to fund election campaigns like the 2022 Goa Assembly elections. Kejriwal and his party have denied these allegations and accused the BJP of using central agencies to target opposition leaders.