Arvind Kejriwal Granted Interim Bail till June 1, No Restrictions on his Campaigning; Opposition and AAP Hail it as Victory of Truth

In a major relief, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been granted interim bail by the Supreme Court of India on Friday, fifty days since he was arrested on March 21 by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam of the Delhi Government . Kejriwal has been granted this interim relief till the final phase of Lok Sabha Election on June 1, he will have to surrender to the jail authorities on June 2. While the bail conditions have been given, but there are no restrictions on Kejriwal campaigning, giving a huge boost to Aap Aadmi Party, that has so far campaigned using pictures and banners of their convenor behind the bars. 

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had strongly opposed the bail application claiming there has been no precedent where “bail as a fundamental right has been given to any individual for the purpose of election campaigning”. The Apex Court while setting aside such apprehension, pointed out it wasn’t a “simple straight jacket”, rather the SC pointed out ED’s delay in arresting Kejriwal. The bench had highlighted “the ECIR was registered by ED in August 2022 but Kejriwal was arrested in March 2024”. 

Welcoming the Supreme Court order AAP has called it a victory of the truth. “It is not just Kejriwal who has gotten interim bail, but by the Supreme Court’s decision the Truth has triumphed. This is a win of the democracy and the constitution”, said Atishi, minister Delhi Government. 

Opposition parties have hailed the interim bail of Kejriwal as another jolt to BJP and their “conspiracies to corner the opposition”. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took to social media to welcome the decision saying that she was “very happy” and hoped it will be helpful “in the context of the current elections”. 

Similarly Congress, which is part of INDIA alliance bloc has welcomed the SC order. “We also hope like Kejriwal, former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren is being granted bail by the court”, said Congress leader Pawan Khera.