Fri Sep 13 14:46:56 UTC 2024: ## Delhi Chief Minister Released After 6 Months in Jail, Calls Case Politically Motivated

**New Delhi, India -** Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi and a prominent opposition leader, has been granted bail after spending almost six months in prison on corruption charges. The Supreme Court of India ruled on Friday that Kejriwal’s continued detention was “unjustified” and amounted to “unjust deprivation of liberty” as his trial was unlikely to be completed for some time.

Kejriwal, who was arrested in March alongside other members of his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has consistently maintained that the case against him is politically motivated. He alleges that the charges, which stem from an alleged liquor licensing scam, were fabricated by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to hinder the opposition ahead of the recent national elections.

The arrest of Kejriwal, who is a vocal critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sent shockwaves across the country. The AAP has gained significant electoral traction in recent years, winning regional elections in Delhi and Punjab. The party is part of an opposition alliance that contested the national elections against Modi and the BJP, which returned to power with a reduced majority.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is leading the investigation, has accused Kejriwal and his party of corruption and taking $1 billion in bribes. The Modi government has denied any involvement in the case, stating that the CBI operates independently.

While Kejriwal was granted temporary bail in May to allow him to campaign in the elections, he returned to jail in June. His release comes after other senior AAP members, including his former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, were granted bail in the same case.

The Supreme Court’s decision to release Kejriwal is likely to be a significant boost to the AAP, which is set to contest upcoming state elections in Haryana and Delhi. Despite his release, Kejriwal faces restrictions on his activities as chief minister, including limitations on government meetings and signing documents.

Kejriwal, upon his release, vowed to continue fighting what he calls “anti-national forces working to weaken our country.” The case continues to be a significant political controversy in India, raising concerns about the independence of the judiciary and the use of legal processes for political gain.

Read More