Arvind Kejriwal Highlights: AAP chief was arrested on March 21.
The Supreme Court today gave interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for 21 days and asked the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to surrender on June 2, a day after the polling for the seven-phased Lok Sabha elections is scheduled to end. The Delhi Chief Minister walked out of the jail later in the evening.
The Supreme Court, while granting interim bail to Arvind Kejriwal, also pointed out the Enforcement Directorate's delay in arresting the AAP chief. A bench, comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta, said that the central probe agency had registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) in August 2022, but Mr Kejriwal was arrested in March.
"For about one and half years he was there... The arrest could have been made afterward or before. 21 days here or there should not make any difference," Justice Khanna said.
Mr Kejriwal had sought a release from jail to campaign for the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.
Mr Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case linked to the alleged liquor policy scam. He is currently lodged in Tihar jail under judicial custody.
Here are the Highlights on Arvind Kejriwal's bail:
Welcome Interim Bail Granted To Arvind Kejriwal: Shashi Tharoor
Welcoming the bail granted by the Supreme Court to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who was lodged in Tihar jail in the national capital over money laundering allegations, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Friday said it should have happened sooner.
The Supreme Court on Friday granted interim bail to the Aam Aadmi Party chief till June 1 in the Delhi Excise scam case, so that he can campaign for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
Mr Tharoor, in a press conference, attributed political motives to Kejriwal's arrest.
"Is there not a political motive behind it?," he asked, pointing out that the arrest of the current chief minister of Delhi was made soon after the Lok Sabha elections were announced. "And I must say that I am glad that the Supreme Court said that it (bail) would continue until the last voting on 1 June," the Congress leader added.
Live Updates: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Reached His Residence
A Huge Crowd Of AAP Supporters Gathered Outside Tihar Jail To See Arvind Kejriwal
Watch: Arvind Kejriwal's First Message To AAP Workers After Walking Out Of Jail
"We Have To Save Country From Dictatorship": Arvind Kejriwal
Arvind Kejriwal addressed Aam Aadmi Party supporters after walking out of jail.
"I feel really happy to be with you. I told you that I'll come soon...I've come back. Firstly, I want to take the blessings of Lord Hanuman. I'm in front of you because of his blessings. I want to thank everyone...people sent me their blessings. I want to thank the Supreme Court judges, it is because of them I'm here. We have to save the country from dictatorship...I'm fighting dictatorship but 140 crore people have to fight it. We'll meet tomorrow at 11 am in Connaught Place at Hanuman Mandir and then we will address a press conference at 1 pm," Mr Kejriwal said.
Arvind Kejriwal Live: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal walked out of Tihar jail. The Supreme Court today granted interim relief to Mr Kejriwal till June 1.
"Arvind Kejriwal's Release From Jail Fortifies INDIA Bloc": Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been released from Jail 2 of Tihar prison. The Chief Minister will walk out of gate number 4 of the Tihar Jail shortly.
Punjab Chief Minister Reaches Tihar Jail
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann reached Tihar Jail to receive Delhi Minister Arvind Kejriwal who will be out of the prison soon. The Punjab Chief Minister will head to Mr Kejriwal's residence after receiving him, sources said.
Arvind Kejriwal Bail Live: Tihar Jail Officials Receive Supreme Court Order
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will be released on Friday as Tihar Jail authorities have received the release order from the Supreme Court. The Chief Minister will be released after spending almost 50 days in prison.
"Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's release order has been received by Tihar jail authorities. He will be released shortly," the prison officials said.
Security has been stepped up outside Tihar Jail ahead of the chief minister's release.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway outside Mr Kejriwal's residence to accord him a rousing welcome.
"Kejriwal Will Implement God's Plan": Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj
"Welcome Interim Bail Granted To Arvind Kejriwal": Sharad Pawar
"I welcome the interim bail order granted to Chief Minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal by the Supreme Court. India remains steadfast in the pursuit of democracy," Sharad Pawar said.
AAP Workers Celebrate Outside Party Office After Arvind Kejriwal Gets Interim Relief
"Eyes Of Every Citizen Of This Country Is Moist With Happiness": AAP MP Raghav Chadha
AAP MP Raghav Chadha reacted to Supreme Court granting interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and said, "The eyes of every citizen of the country are moist with happiness, their brother, their son Arvind Kejriwal is about to come out of jail. The jail locks will be broken this evening and Kejriwal will be released," he said.
"Heartfelt gratitude to the Honorable Supreme Court for protecting democracy. Long live the revolution, long live Arvind Kejriwal!" Mr Chadha added.
"Result Of Prayers, Blessings Of Crores Of People": Arvind Kejriwal's Wife
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was granted an interim bail till June 1 by the Supreme Court. Mr Kejriwal's wife, Sunita Kejriwal said, "Jai Hanuman! This is the victory of democracy. It is the result of prayers and blessings of lakhs and crores of people. Many thanks to everyone."
What Supreme Court Said While Granting Interim Relief To Arvind Kejriwal
The Supreme Court today granted interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to June 1. The court said, "Saying that the General Elections to Lok Sabha is the most significant event this year, as it should be in a national election year. Between 650-700 million voters out of an electorate of about 970 million will cast their votes to elect the government of this country for the next five years. General Elections supply the vis viva to a democracy."
"Given the prodigious importance, we reject the argument raised on behalf of the prosecution that granting interim bail/release on this account would be giving the premium of placing the politicians in a beneficial position compared to ordinary citizens of this country," the Supreme court added.
"Arvind Kejriwal Will Come Out Of Jail This Evening": Delhi Minister Atishi
"This is the victory of truth...I thank the Supreme Court for coming forward to save the Constitution and democracy. Arvind Kejriwal will come out of Tihar Jail this evening and I am sure he will address the people of Delhi and the country," Delhi Minister Atishi said.
Not Less than A Miracle, Says AAP On Arvind Kejriwal Getting Interim Bail From Supreme Court
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal getting interim bail from the Supreme Court in the liquor policy case is "not less than a miracle", Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bharadwaj told reporters today.
Mr Kejriwal can campaign for the Lok Sabha elections, but has to surrender before the jail authorities on June 2 as the interim bail is valid only till June 1. Votes will be counted on June 4.
"Another Victory Of Truth": Akhilesh Yadav On Arvind Kejriwal Getting Big Relief
"The bail of Delhi's popular Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is another victory of truth," Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh, a member of the INDIA bloc, said.
"The strength and unity of the 'India Alliance' is going to liberate the people of India from the painful rule of BJP. Unite and pledge to vote!" he added.
"Welcome Supreme Court's Intervention, Hope Hemant Soren Also...": Congress
The Congress, an ally of the AAP in Delhi, has welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to grant interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Congress leader Pawan Khera said, "We welcome the intervention by the Supreme Court in granting interim bail to Arvind Kejriwal...We hope that the former chief minister of Jharkhand Hemant Soren also gets due justice."
"Today Supreme Court Has Given Us A Ray Of Hope": AAP
"Today the Supreme Court has given a ray of hope to all those who believe in the Constitution. Our party, the people of Delhi thank the Supreme Court," Delhi Minister Gopal Rai said on the court's decision to grant interim bail to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal till June 1.
Supreme Court Order On Arvind Kejriwal Is A Win For Democracy: AAP
The AAP today said that the Supreme Court order on Arvind Kejriwal's interim bail is "a win for democracy".
Addressing a press conference, AAP leader Atishi thanked the Supreme Court for saving the country's democracy.
AAP leader Gopal Rai also attended the press conference and said that the Supreme Court has given a ray of hope to all those who believe in the Constitution.
"Our party, people of Delhi thank the Supreme Court," he said.
Arvind Kejriwal News: Sanjay Singh Welcomes Supreme Court's Decision
AAP leader Sanjay Singh has welcomes Supreme Court's decision on Arvind Kejriwal. Taking to his official X account, he said that the "truth can not be defeated".
Arvind Kejriwal Interim Bail News: AAP To Address Press Conference
AAP will shortly address a press conference on the interim bail of its national convenor Arvind Kejriwal.
Arvind Kejriwal News: Mamata Banerjee "Happy" That Arvind Kejriwal Got Interim BailWest Bengal Chief Minister today said that she is "happy" that her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal has got an interim bail.
"It will be very helpful in the context of the current elections," the Trinamool Congress chief, who is part of the Opposition bloc INDIA, said on X.
Arvind Kejriwal's Interim Bail To Be Extended? Supreme Court To Decide Next WeekOn Arvind Kejriwal's request for seeking interim bail extension beyond June 2, the Supreme Court said it will hear the petition next week and try and conclude the matter.
Arvind Kejriwal Likely To Be Released From Jail In A Few HoursArvind Kejriwal is likely to be released from Tihar Jail in a few hours.
"21 Days Should Not Make A Difference": Arvind Kejriwal Gets Interim Bail Till June 1The Supreme Court, while granting interim bail to Arvind Kejriwal, pointed out Enforcement Directorate's delay in arresting the AAP chief.
A bench, comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta, said that the central probe agency had registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) in August, 2022, but he was arrested in March.
"For about one and half years he was there... Arrest could have been made afterwards or before, whatever it is. 21 days here or there should not make any difference," Justice Khanna said.
Arvind Kejriwal Will Surrender On June 2
Arvind Kejriwal has been asked to surrender on June 2, a day after the polling for the seven-phased Lok Sabha elections will end.
Arvind Kejriwal Gets Interim Bail Till June 1
The Supreme Court today gave interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal till June 1. Mr Kejriwal was arrested in a money laundering case and had sought a release from jail to campaign for the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.
Arvind Kejriwal Live: What ED Said On Arvind Kejriwal's BailThe ED, in its affidavit in Supreme Court, repeated an argument it had made during the last Supreme Court hearing and said that campaigning is part of a politician's job and, following the rule of equality, small farmers or small traders can also seek interim bail to carry out the demands of their work.
It also stressed that Arvind Kejriwal is not even contesting the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
The central agency said that granting bail to the AAP chief would set a precedent that would permit "all unscrupulous politicians" to commit crimes and then evade investigation citing campaigning for one election or the other.
Arvind Kejriwal's Interim Bail Live: Probe Agency's Affidavit In Supreme CourtIn its affidavit filed in the Supreme Court on Thursday, the ED pointed out that, while hearing the bail plea of former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia -- a co-accused in the same Delhi liquor policy case -- the court had said that the laws apply equally to all citizens and institutions, including the State.
Stating that Arvind Kejriwal had sought interim bail primarily for campaigning in the Lok Sabha elections, the agency submitted, "It is relevant to note that the right to campaign is neither a fundamental right nor a constitutional right and not even a legal right."
The agency also argued that 123 elections have taken place in the past five years and if interim bail is granted to Mr Kejriwal for campaigning, then no politician can be kept in judicial custody since polls take place around the year.
Arvind Kejriwal's Bail Live: Probe Agency ED Opposes Arvind Kejriwal's Bail The probe agency ED has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court opposing Arvind Kejriwal's petition. It said that laws are equal for all and that campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls is not a fundamental, constitutional, or even a legal right.
The central agency also said that no political leader has ever been granted bail for campaigning and that letting Mr Kejriwal, the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), out of jail to canvas for his party candidates would set a wrong precedent.
Arvind Kejriwal Bail Live: Supreme Court Had Reserved Its Verdict On May 7A Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta, had reserved its verdict on interim bail of Arvind Kejriwal on May 7.
The bench reserved its decision after hearing the arguments put forth by senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, who appeared for Mr Kejriwal, and Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, who appeared for the Enforcement Directorate.
The bench has divided the hearing on Mr Kejriwal's petition against his arrest into two parts. His main petition challenges his arrest by the probe agency and seeks it to be declared as "illegal". The second aspect pertains to the grant of interim bail keeping in mind the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.
Arvind Kejriwal Bail Hearing LIVE: Supreme Court's Verdict On Arvind Kejriwal's Bail Likely Today
The Supreme Court is likely to give its order today on interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Mr Kejriwal was arrested in a money laundering case and is seeking a release from jail to campaign for the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.