The Supreme Court granted bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday, September 13, in connection with the corruption case related to the excise policy ‘scam,’ filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). However, the court restricted him from entering the Chief Minister’s office and signing official documents.
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan allowed Kejriwal’s bail on the condition that he provides a bail bond of ₹10 lakh along with two sureties of the same amount.
Kejriwal had been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 in the excise policy case. While he was granted interim bail on May 10 to participate in the Lok Sabha election campaign, he has remained in jail since June 2 after surrendering.
Supreme Court Grants Bail to Arvind Kejriwal
Six months after being arrested in connection with the Delhi liquor policy scam, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was granted bail by the Supreme Court in the CBI case on Friday. However, although both Supreme Court judges agreed on granting bail, they had differing opinions about the legality of Kejriwal’s arrest by the CBI.
Kejriwal, who had already secured interim bail in the ED’s money laundering case, is set to be released from jail. He is now the fifth prominent leader to be granted bail in this case, following AAP members Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, Vijay Nair, and Bharat Rashtra Samithi’s K Kavitha.
Justice Surya Kant stated that prolonged imprisonment is an “unjust deprivation of liberty” but confirmed that Kejriwal’s arrest was legally conducted without any procedural issues. On the other hand, Justice Ujjal Bhuyan disagreed, calling the CBI’s arrest of Kejriwal “unjustified.”
Justice Kant emphasized that when trials are delayed, the law favors granting bail, asserting that “bail is the rule, jail is the exception.” He further added that while the arrest was lawful, prolonged detention could unfairly deny a person’s liberty.
Also Check: CBI Charges Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in Liquor Policy Case
Bail Conditions for Arvind Kejriwal
Here are the bail conditions for Arvind Kejriwal:
- He is released on bail after submitting a bond of ₹10 lakh.
- Kejriwal is prohibited from making any public statements about the Delhi excise policy case.
- The Delhi Chief Minister must attend the trial unless the court grants him an exemption.
- He is not allowed to enter the Chief Minister’s office or the Delhi Secretariat while on bail.
- Kejriwal can only sign official documents if it is essential to get the Lieutenant Governor’s approval.
- The court also highlighted that keeping someone in jail for too long is an unfair restriction of their freedom.
Implications of Kejriwal’s Release
Kejriwal’s release is a major boost for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as they prepare for the upcoming Haryana Assembly election. The party is set to challenge the current ruling BJP and their INDIA bloc partner, Congress.
Additionally, the AAP is gearing up for the crucial Delhi Assembly elections next year, aiming for a third consecutive term in office.
Kejriwal was granted bail with a bond of Rs 10 lakh. He is instructed not to comment publicly on the case and is restricted from visiting the Delhi Secretariat or signing official documents.
Arvind Kejriwal Bail Key Points
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was first detained by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 in connection with a money laundering investigation related to an alleged liquor policy scam. Later, on June 26, he was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) while still in ED custody, under charges of corruption.
On July 12, the Supreme Court granted Kejriwal interim bail for the ED case. Despite this, he remained in Tihar Jail due to the CBI’s arrest.
During the Supreme Court hearing, Kejriwal, who has type II diabetes, argued that the CBI’s action was an “insurance arrest” meant to keep him imprisoned. His lawyer, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, argued that as a “constitutional functionary,” Kejriwal poses no flight risk or threat to evidence tampering.
The CBI, represented by Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, alleged that a significant portion of the kickbacks from the excise policy was used by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) during the Goa Assembly elections in 2022.
Supreme Court Hearing on September 5
On September 5, during the Supreme Court hearing for Arvind Kejriwal’s plea in a corruption case, Delhi’s Chief Minister strongly disagreed with the CBI’s argument. The CBI contended that Kejriwal should have sought bail from the trial court first, rather than approaching the Supreme Court directly.
Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing the CBI, argued that Kejriwal’s previous challenge against his arrest in a money laundering case was also redirected to the trial court by the Supreme Court.
FAQs
Q.1. Why was Arvind Kejriwal granted bail?
Ans. Arvind Kejriwal was granted bail by the Supreme Court due to concerns about prolonged imprisonment and the principle that bail should be the norm, not jail.
Q.2. What are the conditions of Kejriwal’s bail?
Ans. Kejriwal must provide a ₹10 lakh bail bond, avoid public comments on the case, stay away from the Chief Minister’s office, and only sign essential documents with the Lieutenant Governor’s approval.
Q.3. What was the main argument from the CBI against Kejriwal’s bail?
Ans. The CBI argued that Kejriwal should have first sought bail from the trial court rather than the Supreme Court, citing a precedent from a previous money laundering case.
Q.4. How does Kejriwal’s release affect his political party?
Ans. Kejriwal’s release is a significant boost for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as they prepare for upcoming elections in Haryana and Delhi, aiming for a third consecutive term.
Q.5. What was the Supreme Court’s stance on Kejriwal’s arrest?
Ans. Justice Surya Kant viewed Kejriwal’s arrest as legally sound but unjustly prolonged, while Justice Ujjal Bhuyan found the CBI’s arrest unjustified.
