Arvind Kejriwal Gets Big Supreme Court Relief. Interim Bail Till June 1.

Arvind Kejriwal’s release from Delhi’s Tihar Jail, following a 50-day incarceration on corruption charges, came hours after the Supreme Court granted him bail until June 1, enabling him to campaign for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the INDIA bloc in the ongoing election. Greeted by a jubilant crowd of AAP supporters and senior party leaders upon his exit, Kejriwal hailed his release as a “gamechanger” for the INDIA bloc’s electoral prospects.

In his first public address post-release, Kejriwal expressed gratitude to the judiciary and urged voters to “save the country from dictatorship,” emphasizing the significance of the upcoming election. He attributed his release to divine intervention, expressing intentions to visit a Hanuman temple the following day.

Although on bail until June 1, coinciding with the final phase of voting, Kejriwal must surrender by June 2. The court declined to extend his bail further but agreed to hear arguments for extended relief in the following week’s session.

Recognizing Kejriwal’s status as an elected Chief Minister and a national party leader, the Supreme Court emphasized that he does not pose a threat and lacks criminal antecedents. The court’s decision to grant bail underscores the extraordinary circumstances of the ongoing election and the public interest involved.

Kejriwal’s release marks a pivotal moment in Delhi’s political landscape, with his newfound freedom empowering him to actively participate in the electoral process. As the campaign intensifies, his presence is expected to invigorate AAP’s campaign efforts and potentially influence the election’s outcome.

The court’s observation of Kejriwal’s non-conviction and lack of criminal history reinforces the principle of innocence until proven guilty, reaffirming the importance of due process and judicial discretion in safeguarding individual rights. Kejriwal’s bail, while temporary, symbolizes the intersection of legal proceedings and democratic participation, highlighting the complexities of governance and accountability in a vibrant democracy like India.