Kejriwal walks out of jail in heat of electoral battle
According to senior AAP functionaries, the development will strengthen AAP’s campaigning strategies manyfold
In a development that may have significant implications for both the ongoing general elections and the political landscape of Delhi, the Supreme Court on Friday ordered the release of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on interim bail until June 1 in the excise policy case, rejecting the Enforcement Directorate (ED)’s contention that the release for political campaigning would amount to preferential treatment to politicians, and underlining the importance of elections in a democracy.
The bench, however, was particular that he not perform his duties as chief minister in this period.
A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta resorted to a “holistic and libertarian view” while noting that although serious charges of money laundering have been levelled against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief, he has not been convicted, does not have criminal antecedents and is not a threat to society.
Kejriwal walked out of Tihar jail at 6.55pm on Friday and said: “I want to thank all of you. Crores and crores of people across the country prayed for me. I want to thank the Supreme Court because of whom I’m standing here with you. I just have one request to make with all of you we should together save the country from dictatorship. I’m fighting and protesting against dictatorship with everything I have. But the 140 crore people have to fight against dictatorship.”
Lok Sabha elections are the most significant and an important event this year, highlighted the bench, adding these elections supply the “vis viva” (living force) to a democracy. “Given the prodigious importance, we reject the argument raised on behalf of the prosecution (ED) that grant of interim bail/release on this account would be giving premium of placing the politicians in a benefic position compared to ordinary citizens of this country,” it added, underscoring that the peculiarities of the case and surrounding circumstances warranted a holistic view.
It also emphasised that the power to grant interim bail is commonly exercised in a number of cases considering the facts of each case. “This case is not an exception,” said the bench.
Reacting to the court verdict, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva said that the grant of interim bail does not mean Kejriwal was declared innocent. “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, and accused AAP leaders of misleading the people of Delhi. The AAP, meanwhile, said Kejriwal’s release will pave the way for “big changes” in the country.
Addressing a press conference at the party office, AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said, “Kejriwal being granted interim bail after 40 days is no less than a miracle. There is also a divine hint that the prevailing conditions are going to change in the country. His release will pave the way for big changes in the country.”
The court directed that Kejriwal be released on interim bail until June 1, with certain conditions, including refraining from official duties during this period and signing any file unless necessary for obtaining approval of the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi.
NEW DELHI: It was an evening of celebrations for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and workers, as they welcomed jailed Delhi chief minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal’s release from jail on Friday with fireworks and sweets.
Kejriwal, who was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court, will now seek to throw himself in the fray of the ongoing campaign for the Lok Sabha elections.
Calling his release a victory of democracy, the chief minister’s wife Sunita Kejriwal thanked the people. “Hanuman ji ki jai. This is the victory of democracy. It is the result of the prayers and blessings of crores of people. Many thanks to everyone,” she posted on X.
According to senior AAP functionaries, the development will strengthen AAP’s campaigning strategies manyfold as its electoral prep will now gather pace ahead of polling in the national capital on May 25. The functionaries said Kejriwal’s release will now make for a unified voice which was otherwise lacking in the party’s campaigning. Individual leaders have been holding separate roadshows and rallies for the party till now in Delhi.
A few hours after Kejriwal’s release, AAP functionaries said Kejriwal might participate in a roadshow with Punjab chief minister on Saturday evening. The announcement was made on a poster released by AAP leader and South Delhi candidate Sahi Ram “Pahalwan” which said “Tiger is back” alongside Kejriwal’s picture.
AAP Delhi convener Gopal Rai, in a press conference at AAP headquarters, said the top court’s order has allowed truth to triumph.
“Truth has triumphed with the interim bail to Kejriwal. A ray of hope has awakened among the people. The campaign to save democracy will become even stronger with Arvind Kejriwal getting interim bail,” said Rai.
In a similar vein, senior AAP leader and Delhi minister Atishi said that the apex court on Friday came forward to “protect democracy which has been under threat”.
“Today there is a dictatorial government in this country. This government is trying to eliminate democracy and the Constitution from the country. But this time this dictatorship will end and it will happen only in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. I want to thank the Supreme Court once again. I want to appeal to the people of the country that this is the last chance for this country to save its democracy and its Constitution. Therefore, it is the responsibility of all of us that we all have to end such dictatorship together with the power of our vote,” said Atishi.