In a landmark ruling the Supreme Court has granted bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who has been in custody for nearly six months in connection with the excise policy case.
During the bail hearingJustice Ujjal Bhuyan made a strong observation emphasizing the need for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to demonstrate that it is an "uncaged parrot", free from political influence. This term often used by the opposition refers to allegations of the central government's interference in CBI operations.
READ: Ishan Kishan’s Century Anchors India C's Dominance on Day 1 Against India B in Duleep Trophy
Justice Bhuyan questioned the timing and urgency of
Kejriwal’s arrest especially since the CBI did not take action for 22 months
and only moved to arrest him after the trial court granted bail in the
Enforcement Directorate (ED) case. He remarked that it would be unjust to
continue Kejriwal's detention when the trial process is unlikely to conclude
soon. Kejriwal’s legal team had criticized the CBI's actions as a deliberate
attempt to prevent his release.
READ: A Night of Queens and Knights: Taylor Swift Triumphs, Chappell Roan Goes Medieval at VMAs
While the bail provides Kejriwal the chance to exit TiharJail, where he has been incarcerated since March 11, 2024 strict conditions
have been imposed. The court has barred him from entering the Chief Minister’s
office and from signing any official documents without the approval of the
Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. Additionally he has been instructed not to
comment publicly on the case's merits.
This development raises a significant political question:
will Kejriwal step down as Delhi’s Chief Minister? The BJP has been vocal in
its demand for his resignation with party spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia stating
that Kejriwal has not been acquitted and should resign on moral grounds. The
BJP continues to pressure him, using terms like "jail wala CM" and
"bail wala CM" to criticize his leadership.
READ: Violet Grohl Appears to Deactivate Her Instagram Account Following Father Dave Grohl's Secret Baby Announcement
Despite the legal challenges the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) hasshown strong support for Kejriwal with senior leaders like Manish Sisodia and Atishi hailing the bail decision as a victory for truth. Sisodia who faced similar charges stated “Truth has won once again in the fight against lies”.
The political and legal saga surrounding Kejriwal is far
from over but the Supreme Court's decision highlights a significant moment in
his battle against the charges and the larger issue of political influence on
investigative agencies.