May 12 – In a major development, Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of Delhi has been released on an interim bail by Supreme Court of India until June 1. This follows charges leveled against him in relation to money laundering associated with Delhi excise policy that has seen heightened legal scrutiny and political debate.
The bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta pronounced the decision. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) strongly opposed the idea of interim bail which was hinted at by the Supreme Court on May 7th. The apex court’s order will enable Kejriwal to campaign for Lok Sabha elections ahead but not perform any official duty as Chief Minister within this period.
The arrest of Arvind Kejriwal by ED took place on March 21 after allegations arose about a supposed criminal conspiracy to manipulate Delhi Excise Policy for 2021-22. These changes in policy purportedly favored particular liquor vendors thereby bringing up allegations against several prominent AAP leaders such as Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. Following this complaint by the Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena of Delhi, a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry was instituted in 2022 leading to subsequent involvement of ED.
The decision comes after High Court denied his plea for release, referring the case to apex court from where it began.EEA, however had contested that approach before Apex Court at its initial hearing on May 7.Accordingly, SC’s interim order permits him to be part of Lok Sabha poll campaign ahead but restrains him from performing his duties as CM during this time frame particularly.
Various political reactions have trailed this temporary freedom, bringing out how justice can become entangled with politics and governance in world´s largest democracy. While all eyes are now focused on what happens next legally or politically leading up to general elections.
