NEW DELHI: India’s Supreme Court has granted temporary bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, allowing him to campaign in the ongoing national election, a significant boost for the opposition alliance.
Kejriwal, who was arrested on 21st March, marking the first instance of a sitting chief minister being detained in independent India’s history, is a vocal critic and key rival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party in Delhi. His arrest has been widely viewed as politically motivated, drawing reactions from the US State Department and Germany, urging India to adhere to due process.
The Indian government has refuted claims of using investigative agencies to target Modi’s political opponents, asserting their independent operation.
The Supreme Court’s decision grants Kejriwal temporary bail until 1st June, the final day of voting in the massive seven-phase election. He will need to return to custody on 2nd June.
Kejriwal’s arrest by the Enforcement Directorate, India’s primary financial crime-fighting agency, was related to allegations of his party and state ministers accepting bribes from liquor contractors nearly two years ago. Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party have vehemently denied the charges, labeling his arrest as “illegal.”
The Enforcement Directorate had opposed bail for Kejriwal, arguing that any special concession would undermine the rule of law and equality. They noted the absence of precedent for releasing someone for campaigning.
Kejriwal’s arrest came after he ignored nine summons by the Enforcement Directorate. He is the third leader of the AAP to be jailed over the party’s former alcohol sales policy.
As a member of the opposition alliance named INDIA, which is the primary challenger to the BJP, Kejriwal’s release is seen as a significant advantage for its electoral prospects. The Indian National Congress, another major party in the alliance, welcomed the Supreme Court’s intervention in granting interim bail to Kejriwal.
