The Supreme Court has granted bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, clearing his release from jail. The Court granted bail in the Delhi Unemployment Policy money laundering case, overturning his earlier arrest by the CBI. Kejriwal will walk free on a personal bond of Rs 10 lakh.
Kejriwal had already secured bail in the Enforcement Directorate (ED) case before this decision. The Supreme Court’s ruling extends to the CBI case, allowing his release. The Court imposed conditions: Kejriwal must refrain from signing official documents, visiting his office, or making public statements about the case.
Justices Suryakant and Viraj Bhuyan, who heard the case, noted that Kejriwal’s continued detention in the CBI case, despite his bail in the ED case, was unreasonable. Justice Bhuyan emphasized that bail is the norm, not detention, and ordered Kejriwal’s immediate release. Meanwhile, Justice Suryakant argued that the CBI’s arrest was justified.
On the 5th, the bench reserved its verdict on Kejriwal’s CBI arrest case after hearing arguments from both sides.
Kejriwal’s lawyer, Abhishek Manu Sanghvi, argued that Kejriwal deserved regular bail because the FIR initially did not include his name but added it later. Sanghvi claimed the arrest, based solely on witness testimony, was unjust.
The CBI’s lawyer countered, asserting that Kejriwal stands as the primary accused in the Abkari corruption case with substantial evidence against him. The CBI’s arrest order, backed by a magistrate’s decision and investigation, did not breach constitutional rights.
Kejriwal had been jailed since his arrest by the ED on March 21 and had received temporary bail for three weeks before the Lok Sabha elections.