Arvind Kejriwal bail highlights | Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal walks out of Tihar, asks party workers to ‘fight against dictatorship’

Mr. Kejriwal has arrived at his residence at Civil Lines. He is likely to participate in a roadshow in South Delhi for AAP’s candidate Sahi Ram Pehelwan on May 11. This will be his first roadshow since his bail. 

“Our country is more than 4,000 years old. It’s a great country but whenever anyone has tried to be dictatorial in the country, people haven’t let them win. Today, the country is going through this dictatorial rule and is fighting against it but 140 crore will have to come together to fight it. I appeal to everyone to fight this together,” he said.

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said that getting interim bail does not mean Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was declared innocent in the alleged multi-crore liquor scam.

“Sometimes even criminals are released on parole, and this is a legal process, so it does not prove that Kejriwal, who was the main culprit in the multi-crore liquor scam, is innocent today,” he said. AAP leaders are once again misleading the people of Delhi and betraying them, he said.

“AAP has no local issues for the elections because as a State government, they have done nothing in the last 10 years, so they created a stir in the name of Kejriwal being jailed and are now trying to create a deceptive atmosphere of coming out of jail, which the people of Delhi will not buy.” “BJP candidates will win all seven seats in the upcoming elections,” the BJP leader said.

He said the court has cautioned Mr. Kejriwal will neither go to the CM’s office nor the Delhi Secretariat. - PTI

The ruling Left Democratic Front and the opposition United Democratic Front hailed the interim bail granted to Mr. Kejriwal and said that it was a severe setback to the BJP-led Central government’s subversion of Central agencies to target political rivals.Read the report here.

He urged his supporters to fight against dictatorship, saying, “I appeal to all to you to come together and fight against dictatorship in the country.”

He said he would visit a temple in Connaught Place in Delhi at 11 a.m. He adds that he will speak in a press conference at 1 p.m. on May 11.

Mr. Kejriwal addresses party workers outside the Tihar Jail after spending 50 days in judicial custody. “I had said that I will come out fast.. I have come out. I first thank Hanuman Ji. It is because of his ashirwad that I am out and with you today,” he said, adding, “I thank the crores of people across the country for their support as well as the judges of the Supreme Court.”

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal walks out of Tihar Jail amid loud cheers and dhol beats after SC grants him interim bail. - PTI

Mr. Kejriwal will be released soon as authorities in the Tihar Jail have received the release order from the Supreme Court. “Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s release order has been received by Tihar jail authorities. He will be released shortly,” the prison officials said. Security has been stepped up outside the jail ahead of Mr. Kejriwal’s release. Meanwhile, preparations are underway outside his residence to accord him a rousing welcome. - ANI

In an apparent reaction to the Supreme Court’s decision to grant interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, senior BJP leader Vinay Sahasrabuddhe has said “the lordships” have made themselves a part of the campaign by picking a side right in the middle of the elections. 

In a post on X, he wrote, “By picking a side right in the middle of elections, the lordships that be have made themselves a part of the campaign. When the billion ballots speak, they may not like it.”

Reacting to the decision, BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said bail does not amount to acquittal and asserted that Mr. Kejriwal’s release would not impact the elections. The BJP will win all seven seats in Delhi, he told reporters in Patna.

The SC has set Mr. Kejriwal free for 21 days to campaign for the remaining phases of the Lok Sabha elections after 50 days of custody in the money laundering case linked to the alleged Delhi excise scam. The court said he shall surrender on June 2, a day after the last phase of the seven-phase poll gets over. The fourth phase of polling will be held on May 13. 

It has barred him from visiting his office or the Delhi secretariat and signing official files unless absolutely necessary for obtaining the Lieutenant Governor’s approval.

While imposing a string of bail conditions on Mr. Kejriwal, the apex court directed him to furnish bail bonds of ₹50,000 with one surety of the like amount to the satisfaction of the jail superintendent.

The top court said the ongoing Lok Sabha elections prompted the consideration of interim bail to Mr. Kejriwal as at this stage, it is not possible for the court to either conclude the arguments or finally pronounce the verdict on his plea challenging his arrest.

“As the appeal is pending before us, we do not think it would be proper for us to direct the appellant - Arvind Kejriwal to approach the trial court for interim bail/release. This may not be apt in view of the legal issues and contentions that are under examination and consideration before us,” it said. “Between 650-700 million voters out of an electorate of about 970 million will cast their votes to elect the government of this country for the next five years. General Elections supply the vis viva (energy) to a democracy,” it said, underlining the importance of the Lok Sabha elections. - PTI

Sunita Kejriwal leaves for Tihar Jail from the Delhi CM’s residence in Civil Lines to pick up Kejriwal. He is likely to be released at 5:30 p.m.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has welcomed the SC’s decision to grant interim bail to Kejriwal and said they will now fight the battle to save democracy with more intensity. In a post on X, the CHief Minsiter said, “Thanks to the Supreme Court... now we will fight the battle to save democracy with more intensity... Arvind Kejriwal is not a person but a thought...and now will take this thought forward with greater momentum.” 

Other AAP leaders in Punjab also hailed the SC’s decision. Punjab Cabinet Minister Chetan Singh Jauramajra thanked the apex court for granting interim bail to the AAP supremo. “Truth always triumphs,” he said. Another minister Balbir Singh said with Kejriwal getting interim bail, a wave of happiness has spread among party workers. “Millions of prayers have been answered. I thank the Supreme Court,” he said, as he accused the BJP of trying to suppress the truth. “But the truth has won,” he added. - PTI

Sunita Kejriwal leaves for Tihar Jail from the CM’s residence in Civil Lines to pick up Arvind Kejriwal. He is likely to be released at 5:30 p.m.

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said “Just because interim bail has been granted to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, it doesn’t mean he has been absolved of corruption. He is the kingpin of the excise policy scam.”

This is the victory of democracy. It is the result of many prayers and blessings of millions of people - Sunita Kejriwal

With Supreme Court’s decision, Arvind Kejriwal will get the chance to present his truth in front of people, says Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole.

“Arvind Kejriwal getting justice and relief against dictatorial regime in the country is a huge sign of winds of change. He has been speaking the truth and that is what the BJP dislikes. More power to him and the INDIA alliance for Bharat. We will protect our Constitution and democracy,” says Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray.

I welcome the interim bail order granted to Chief Minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal by the SC. India remains steadfast in the pursuit of democracy, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar said.

Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision granting bail to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, stating this will boost the faith of the people in democracy.

“We have been saying that the BJP and its leaders have caged the establishments of democracy. Because of this, the sitting CMs were sent to jail. I appreciate the Supreme Court’s order of granting (interim) bail to Arvind Kejriwal. This will boost the faith of people in democracy,” he said.

- PTI

Arvind Kejriwal shall not visit chief minister’s office and Delhi Secretariat, the Supreme Court said while granting him interim bail.

- PTI

The eyes of every citizen of the country are moist with happiness, their brother, their son Arvind Kejriwal is about to come out of jail. The jail locks will be broken this evening and Mr. Kejriwal will be released.

Heartfelt gratitude to the Honorable Supreme Court for protecting democracy. Long live the revolution, long live Arvind Kejriwal, AAP leader Raghav Chadha said in a post on X.

The people of the country will wake up and see how democracy is being attacked. In a way, the Lok Sabha contest is starting now and the INDIA alliance will emerge victorious. 

It is a historic order by the SC as it upholds the need for free and fail election and shows that there was an attempt to crush democracy, Senior AAP leader Jasmine Shah said.

A big change is going to come in the country now that Kejriwal is going to come out on bail to campaign in the election, AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said.

It is not just Kejirwal who has gotten interim bail today. Today truth has won. The idea of democracy has won. Today those who believe in the the constitution have won. 

Whenever the constitution and democracy have been in trouble, the Supreme Court has come to the fore and protected it. 

The dictatorial forces will be defeated and we can do this with the power of our vote, AAP leader Atish said.

The AAP welcomed the Supreme Court decision to grant interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and said truth can be troubled but not defeated.

In a major relief to Mr. Kejriwal, the Supreme Court granted him interim bail till June 1 to campaign in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

“Truth can be troubled but not defeated. The decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court is welcome. The dictatorship will end. Satyamev Jayate,” AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh said in a post in Hindi on X.

- PTI

The Supreme Court decision is a ray of hope for those who love the country, I thank the top court for granting interim bail to Arvind Kejriwal, AAP leader Gopal Rai said.

SC says that that it will pass a detailed order soon. 

Justice Khanna says that the top Court will try to conclude arguments next week and also ‘try and pronounce the judgment if possible’. 

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta opposes the interim bail saying that Kejriwal did not respond to summons by the ED three or four times citing elections. 

“He was arrested in March”, Justice Khanna reasons. 

The Bench says it has passed an order giving Arvind Kejriwal interim bail till June 1. 

“He will surrender on June 2”, says Justice Khanna. 

A Bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta will hear at 2 pm the Delhi Chief Minister’s interim bail plea against his arrest by the ED in the Delhi excise policy case. 

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S.V. Raju will appear on behalf of the central agency. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi is representing the AAP supremo. 

The Central agency said that the arrest of Mr. Kejriwal was based on material evidence which indicated that the Chief Minister was guilty of money laundering. “A differential treatment in favour of a politician who is guilty of the offence of money laundering would violate the rule of law, which would be a violation of the basic structure of the Constitution,” the ED noted.

Read more here.

Read The Hindu’s live coverage of the proceedings here. 

Arvind Kejriwal’s Bail Plea: Supreme Court defers order on Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s interim bail plea

Arvind Kejriwal Interim Bail Plea hearing: The top Court said that interim bail will only be granted if the AAP supremo agrees to refrain from discharging any official duties

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Thursday cautioned the Supreme Court against granting interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the liquor policy case, saying that if “unscrupulous” politicians are given bail for campaigning, none of them can ever be arrested, as elections are an “all-year-round phenomenon” in India. 

Read more here. 

Bail to Kejriwal to campaign will end arrests of politicians as elections are year-round phenomenon in India, ED tells Supreme Court

ED cautions Supreme Court against granting interim bail to Arvind Kejriwal for election campaigning, citing equality and rule of law.

The case arose from a report submitted by Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena in July 2022 alleging that there were procedural lapses in the formulation of the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, which came into force in November 2021 but was later scrapped in July 2022. 

The Chief Secretary alleged that kickbacks received by the Aam Admi Party (AAP) leaders from operators of alcohol businesses for preferential treatment were used to “influence” the 2022 Assembly elections in Punjab and Goa. Subsequently, the ED claimed that the scam involved giving wholesale liquor businesses to private entities with a fixed margin of 12% for a 6% kickback.

Read The Hindu’s detailed explainer here. 

The legal issues surrounding Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest | Explained

Arvind Kejriwal arrest: The Hindu explores the legal issues surrounding the arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal by the ED, including what legal contentions have been raised during the proceedings and what do judicial precedents say?