Supreme Court Grants Bail to Delhi CM Kejriwal in Excise Policy Case

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was released from Tihar Jail following a Supreme Court bail order in the CBI's excise policy scam case. The court emphasized the importance of liberty and criticized the CBI's actions. Kejriwal's return sparks political rallies amid upcoming elections, but bail conditions remain restrictive.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal walked out of Tihar Jail on Friday, hours after the Supreme Court granted him bail in the CBI case related to the alleged excise policy scam. The court ruled that prolonged incarceration amounts to 'unjust deprivation of liberty.'

The court also flagged the need for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to shed its image as a 'caged parrot.' Kejriwal's release is significant as it occurs just before the Assembly elections in Haryana and months before those in Delhi. The court criticized the CBI's arrest of Kejriwal as unjustified.

Kejriwal, who had been arrested in March by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on similar charges, spent 155 days in Tihar Jail. Upon his release, he was greeted by a large crowd of party leaders and supporters despite heavy rain. Addressing the crowd, Kejriwal vowed to continue his fight against 'anti-national forces' and declared his resolve had grown stronger.

(With inputs from agencies.)