New Delhi: Following his release from Tihar Jail after being granted interim bail by the Supreme Court, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is set to visit the Hanuman Temple at Connaught Place today. Additionally, he is scheduled to hold a press conference later in the day at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) office in Delhi. Kejriwal, the national convenor of AAP, announced plans to participate in a road show in South Delhi in the evening.
Kejriwal had spent over 50 days in Tihar Jail after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with an excise policy case on March 21, just days after the announcement of the general election schedule.
The bail granted to Kejriwal is valid until June 1, after which he is required to surrender to authorities on June 2. During this period, while he is permitted to engage in poll campaigning, he is prohibited from attending his office as Chief Minister.
Addressing supporters on his way home from jail, Kejriwal expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support and prayers he received during his time in custody. He underscored the importance of collective efforts to safeguard democracy and combat dictatorship.
Kejriwal’s wife, Sunita Kejriwal, hailed his bail as a triumph of democracy, attributing it to the prayers and blessings of millions of people.
Across the political spectrum, opposition parties within the INDIA bloc welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her happiness over Kejriwal’s interim bail, while Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed hope that such incidents would not recur in the future.
In contrast, BJP leaders criticized the opposition’s stance, emphasizing that Kejriwal’s bail does not equate to exoneration, but rather a procedural measure. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva reiterated the party’s confidence in securing all seven seats in Delhi.
Supreme Court lawyer Shadan Farasat, representing Kejriwal, clarified that the bail order remains in effect until June 2, with no restrictions on his election campaigning activities.
Kejriwal is expected to actively participate in AAP’s election campaigns leading up to the general elections in Delhi scheduled for May 25.
