Arvind Kejriwal Gets Bail After 6 Months, With Restrictions by Supreme Court

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been granted bail by the Supreme Court after spending nearly six months in jail. The court ruled that his “prolonged incarceration amounts to unjust deprivation of liberty.” Kejriwal was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in June in connection with an alleged liquor excise policy case.

The Aam Aadmi Party leader, who already had bail in a case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), can now be released from Delhi’s Tihar Jail. However, he is not allowed to visit his office or the Delhi Secretariat or sign any official files without the consent of Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena.

In a brief hearing on Friday, Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Surya Kant delivered separate verdicts on Kejriwal’s pleas but agreed on his release. Kejriwal also challenged the CBI’s arrest, which occurred soon after he was granted bail in the ED case. While Justice Kant found “no impediment” in the CBI’s actions, Justice Bhuyan questioned the timing of the arrest, noting the agency’s sudden interest after the trial court’s bail decision.

Both judges agreed that keeping Kejriwal in jail without the likelihood of a trial soon would be unjust, similar to rulings in other related cases involving ex-Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Telangana politician K Kavitha. Justice Bhuyan emphasized the legal principle that “bail is the rule, jail is the exception,” criticizing the CBI’s urgency in arresting Kejriwal when he was close to being released in the ED case.

Key Points:

Bail Granted: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was granted bail by the Supreme Court after nearly six months in jail.
Supreme Court’s Ruling: The court stated that his “prolonged incarceration amounts to unjust deprivation of liberty.”
Arrest Details: Kejriwal was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in June over an alleged liquor excise policy case.
Restrictions on Release: Although he can be released from Tihar Jail, Kejriwal cannot visit his office, the Delhi Secretariat, or sign official files without the consent of Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena.
Court Proceedings: Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Surya Kant delivered separate verdicts on Kejriwal’s pleas but agreed on his release.
Challenge to Arrest: Kejriwal also challenged the CBI’s arrest, which happened soon after he was granted bail in a related Enforcement Directorate (ED) case.
Judges’ Opinions: Justice Kant saw “no impediment” in the CBI’s arrest, while Justice Bhuyan questioned the timing, noting the CBI acted only after the ED case bail.
Legal Principle Highlighted: Both judges agreed that continuing Kejriwal’s detention without a likely trial soon would be unjust. Justice Bhuyan emphasized that “bail is the rule, jail is the exception,” criticizing the CBI’s urgency in the arrest.