Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal walked out of Tihar Jail on Friday, where he was welcomed by Aam Aadmi Party workers and leaders, including Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, and MP Sanjay Singh, outside the jail compound.
#WATCH | Delhi CM and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal released from Tihar Jail #ArvindKejriwal #ArvindKejriwalBailGranted #SupremeCourt pic.twitter.com/xGQx1G4hWe
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) September 13, 2024
Addressing the AAP workers Kejriwal said, “I have faced many difficulties in my life but God has supported me at every step. This time too God supported me because I was honest, right”
#WATCH | After being released from Tihar Jail, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal says, “I have faced many difficulties in my life but God has supported me at every step. This time too God supported me because I was honest, right…” pic.twitter.com/JHwpxY0B8V
— ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2024
Earlier in a big relief for the Delhi CM, the Supreme Court has granted bail to Arvind Kejriwal in liquor policy case.
Arvind Kejriwal has been jailed for the last six months in the alleged liquor policy scam. He was first arrested by the Enforcement Directorate and later by the CBI. Kejriwal was arrested by the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on March 21. Later, the CBI arrested him on June 26 this year.
Two months ago, the chief minister was granted bail for a few days ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections.
The two judge bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan had reserved the court order on September 5 after the hearing was concluded.
The Supreme Court set aside the Delhi High Court’s order and both justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan agreed on granting regular bail to Kejriwal.
The bench, however, applied a few conditions before releasing the order on Kejriwal. While reading out the judgment, Justice Surya Kant said, “We direct Arvind Kejriwal to be released on bail subject to bail bonds of Rs 10 lakhs.
Last week, in the final hearing before the court withdrew to decide, Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Mr Kejriwal, pointed out his client had already satisfied the ‘triple test’ legal principle for bail, since the same court had given him bail in the ED case.
SC questions timing of Kejriwal’s arrest by CBI
Justice Bhuyan, in his judgement, raised questions over the timing and manner in which the Delhi CM was arrested by the CBI in the excise policy case. He said, “Non-cooperation cannot mean self-incrimination, and therefore, Kejriwal’s arrest by the CBI on this ground was impermissible.”
‘Bail is rule, jail an exception’: Justice Bhuyan
Reading out the judgement, Justice Bhuyan said, “Bail is the rule, and jail an exception. All courts must ensure that the prosecution and the process of trial doesn’t become a form of punishment in itself.”
Justice Surya Kant reads out judgement
Regarding procedural violations, Justice Kant rejects Kejriwal’s plea regarding arrest by the CBI in the excise policy case.
Here’s what Kejriwal will not be allowed to do when he is out on bail:
- SC directs Arvind Kejriwal not to make any public comment on merits of the case.
- Arvind Kejriwal will have to be present for all hearings before the trial court unless exempted
- Delhi CM will not be able to visit his office or the Delhi Secretariat
- He will not be allowed to sign any official file unless absolutely necessary to obtain the Lt. Governor’s sanction.
