The Supreme Court granted bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday in connection with the excise policy corruption case. The court set his bail at ₹10 lakh, with a condition that he refrain from making any public statements regarding the ongoing case.
A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan presided over the matter. During the hearing, Justice Bhuyan expressed concern over the timing of Kejriwal’s arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), questioning whether it was intended to obstruct the bail process. He emphasized that under Indian law, an accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty, asserting that bail should be the norm, not the exception.
Kejriwal was arrested by the CBI on June 26 as part of an investigation into alleged corruption in the Delhi government’s 2021-22 excise policy. While the Delhi High Court had upheld his arrest, the Supreme Court’s decision now allows him to be released on bail as the case proceeds.
“CBI must ensure that the perception of it being a ‘caged parrot’ is discarded. It must be above board.” -Justice Bhuyan says:
The case has attracted significant attention, with allegations that Kejriwal and other Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders benefited from loopholes in the excise policy, receiving kickbacks from liquor businesses to fund their election campaign in Goa. The CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) are investigating the matter.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision, AAP leaders hailed the verdict as a victory for truth and justice. AAP’s Manish Sisodia and National General Secretary Sandeep Pathak celebrated the ruling, calling it a win for both the judicial process and the party’s stance against the accusations.
The case continues to be probed by both the CBI and ED, with Kejriwal facing scrutiny over his alleged involvement in the policy’s irregularities.
Key Points:
- Bail Granted: Supreme Court grants bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy corruption case, setting bail at ₹10 lakh.
- Public Comments Barred: Kejriwal is prohibited from making any public statements regarding the case as a condition of his bail.
- Judicial Concerns: Justice Bhuyan raised concerns about the timing of Kejriwal’s arrest by the CBI, suggesting it may have been intended to hinder the bail process.
- Case Background: Kejriwal was arrested on June 26 over alleged corruption related to the 2021-22 Delhi excise policy, which involves claims of kickbacks from liquor businesses.
- Previous Developments: The Delhi High Court had previously upheld Kejriwal’s arrest, but the Supreme Court’s decision allows his release on bail.
- Political Reactions: AAP leaders praised the Supreme Court’s decision, viewing it as a victory for truth and justice.
