Arvind Kejriwal Leaves Jail After 50 Days, “Election Gamechanger,” Says AAP
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was released from jail Friday evening (File).
Arvind Kejriwal’s Release Marks “Election Gamechanger,” Says AAP
Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, was released from Delhi’s Tihar Jail on Friday evening, after spending 50 days in custody on corruption charges related to the alleged liquor policy scam. This development comes hours after the Supreme Court granted him bail till June 1. Following his release, Kejriwal can now actively campaign for his party, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and the INDIA bloc in the ongoing election.
Delhi’s upcoming election is scheduled for May 25. As he emerged from Tihar Jail’s Gate No 4, Kejriwal was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of AAP workers, including his wife Sunita Kejriwal and senior party leaders Atishi and Saurabh Bhardwaj. At a celebratory gathering, Bhardwaj hailed Kejriwal’s release as a “gamechanger” in favor of the INDIA bloc.
Kejriwal’s Gratitude and Call to Voters
In his first public address after being released from jail, Arvind Kejriwal thanked the judges of the Supreme Court and the public for their support. With the upcoming Delhi election in mind, he urged voters to “save the country from dictatorship.” Kejriwal also expressed his gratitude to Lord Hanuman and announced his plans to visit the Hanuman temple in Delhi’s Connaught Place the following day.
His bail is valid until June 1, marking the final phase of the multi-stage election. Kejriwal is required to surrender by June 2. The court, however, rejected requests to extend his bail, but agreed to hear arguments for extended relief at a later date.
Arvind Kejriwal’s Bail Hearing
During Mr. Kejriwal’s hearing challenging his arrest, the Supreme Court surprised many by considering arguments for his bail. The bench, comprising Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Datta, acknowledged that Kejriwal’s position as a Chief Minister and the leader of a national party warranted special consideration due to the upcoming elections. The court emphasized that he is not a habitual offender and that these circumstances are of public interest.
Read: Arvind Kejriwal Gets Big Supreme Court Relief. Interim Bail Till June 1
The court’s observations were reiterated as bail was granted. The court acknowledged that serious allegations had been made against Kejriwal but highlighted that he had not been convicted and had no criminal history. The court also dismissed arguments regarding the timing of his release stating that the duration of 21 days would not significantly impact the ongoing election. Furthermore, the court raised questions about the Enforcement Directorate’s two-year delay in the case.
Read: “Depriving Right To Life”: Supreme Court On Arvind Kejriwal Plea
BJP’s Reaction and the Alleged Liquor Policy Scam
The BJP responded to Kejriwal’s release by pointing out that he would only be out of jail for a brief period and would eventually have to return. The Enforcement Directorate has alleged that the AAP government’s liquor policy, which has now been scrapped, facilitated the receipt of kickbacks in return for license allotments. They claim that approximately Rs 100 crore was used to fund the AAP’s election campaigns. Both the AAP and Kejriwal have firmly denied the charges, accusing the BJP of making false allegations to tarnish their party’s reputation ahead of the election.
The release of Arvind Kejriwal, a prominent leader, has significantly altered the political landscape in Delhi’s ongoing election. With his newfound freedom, he will vigorously campaign for the AAP and the INDIA bloc, adding an intriguing dynamic to the electoral race.
