India’s Supreme Court granted interim bail on Friday to Arvind Kejriwal, the opposition leader and Delhi Chief Minister, in a corruption case. Kejriwal was arrested in March by India’s financial crime-fighting agency, which accused him of corruption involving the city’s alcohol sales policy. Kejriwal has consistently denied any wrongdoing, claiming that the charges are politically motivated and aimed at tarnishing his reputation and undermining his political influence.
Despite the Supreme Court’s decision to grant him bail, it remains uncertain when Kejriwal will actually be released from jail. This uncertainty arises because he has also been arrested by India’s federal police in a separate case, adding another layer of legal complications to his situation. The timing of his release will depend on the proceedings and outcomes of this additional case.
Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta of the Supreme Court stated that certain legal issues raised by Arvind Kejriwal in his plea challenging his arrest need to be reviewed by a larger bench of the court.
Accordingly, the Court decided to refer the matter to a larger bench and ordered the interim release of Arvind Kejriwal, citing the importance of the right to life.
Despite being granted bail in the Enforcement Directorate (ED) case, Kejriwal will remain in custody due to his arrest in a separate case initiated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21 in connection with a case alleging a conspiracy by AAP leaders, including Manish Sisodia, to manipulate the Delhi Excise Policy of 2021-22 to benefit certain liquor sellers.
