Fri Sep 13 16:57:19 UTC 2024: ## Kejriwal Released After Supreme Court Grants Bail in Excise Policy Case

**New Delhi:** Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was released from Tihar Jail on Friday after the Supreme Court granted him bail in the CBI’s corruption case linked to the now-scrapped excise policy. Kejriwal, who was arrested by the CBI in June, was greeted by cheering AAP supporters upon his release.

The Supreme Court bench, headed by Justice Surya Kant, granted bail on condition that Kejriwal furnish a bail bond of Rs 10 lakh and two sureties of the same amount. He is also barred from making public comments about the merits of the CBI case.

In a separate concurring judgement, Justice Ujjal Bhuyan questioned the necessity and timing of Kejriwal’s arrest, highlighting the fact that the CBI did not feel the need to arrest him for over 22 months. Justice Bhuyan also emphasized the importance of the CBI dispelling the notion that it was a “caged parrot.”

While granting bail, Justice Kant said that the arrest of the Delhi CM did not suffer from any procedural infirmity, a statement that the BJP, which has been highly critical of the AAP government, emphasized. The BJP asserted that Kejriwal remains an accused in the case and called for his resignation.

The AAP, however, celebrated Kejriwal’s release as a victory against the alleged misuse of central agencies by the BJP for political vendetta. AAP leaders, including Manish Sisodia and Atishi, claimed the Supreme Court decision exposed the BJP’s agenda and lies.

Kejriwal’s release comes at a crucial time, as the AAP is gearing up for the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections. Kejriwal, a key campaigner for the party, will now be able to actively participate in the campaign.

The case is still under investigation, and the bail granted by the Supreme Court does not signify any judgement on the merit of the case.

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