Supreme Court Grants Bail to Delhi CM Kejriwal Amidst Criticism and Controversy

The Supreme Court granted bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the Delhi Excise Policy case, prompting criticism of the central government's actions. CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat and AAP’s Priyanka Kakkar accused the government and enforcement agencies of bias and manipulation in the case.

The Supreme Court's decision to grant bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the Delhi Excise Policy case has sparked significant controversy. CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat welcomed the decision but condemned the central government for its alleged manipulative tactics, which, she claims, have kept Kejriwal in judicial custody due to a CBI case.

Brinda Karat stated, "We welcome this order of the Supreme Court releasing the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on bail. Though he has got relief and bail order from the Supreme Court in the substantive case, due to the vindictive attitude of the central government, a sitting Chief Minister will continue to be in jail because of the manipulation of this case by the government by arresting him in the CBI case, which is extremely unfortunate in a travesty of justice."

AAP leader Priyanka Kakkar also attacked the Enforcement Directorate, accusing it of bias. She claimed, "There is no evidence against Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy scam case. ED could not find any evidence and it seems that ED is working with bias." She further stated that the interim bail order demonstrated that the allegations against Kejriwal were part of a politically motivated plot.

The Supreme Court, while granting interim bail, questioned the Enforcement Directorate's policies, particularly their criteria for arrests under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The court highlighted inconsistencies in ED's approach, demanding clarity on whether a uniform policy exists for such arrests.

Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 in connection with alleged irregularities in the now-cancelled Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22.