Fri Sep 13 09:47:04 UTC 2024: ## Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Released on Bail in Corruption Case

**New Delhi** – In a significant victory for the opposition, India’s Supreme Court on Friday ordered the release of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal from custody, granting him bail in a corruption case that has been ongoing for nearly six months.

Kejriwal, a key figure in the opposition alliance against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was arrested in March on charges of corruption related to his administration’s 2021 liquor policy. He was accused of accepting bribes from liquor contractors, allegations that he and his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have vehemently denied.

The Supreme Court, while acknowledging the legality of Kejriwal’s arrest, ruled that prolonged incarceration would be a violation of his right to liberty. The court’s decision comes as a major boost for the AAP, allowing Kejriwal to participate in upcoming regional elections in Haryana next month.

The two-judge bench, however, was divided on the validity of Kejriwal’s arrest. While Justice Surya Kant upheld the arrest as lawful, Justice Ujjal Bhuyan raised concerns about the timing of the arrest, stating that the “perception” of the police’s actions was crucial in a democratic society.

The BJP, the ruling party, maintained that Kejriwal’s bail does not imply his innocence and that the case will continue. However, the opposition parties have lauded the decision, seeing it as a victory against the BJP’s alleged attempts to stifle political dissent.

Kejriwal’s release has been welcomed by his supporters and allies, who have celebrated the court’s decision. The international community, including the United States, had previously called for a fair and impartial trial in the case.

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