#JANKAARBHARAT

The Supreme Court on Friday 10th  May 2024, afternoon gave Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal interim bail till June 1, the final phase of voting for the seven-stage 2024 Lok Sabha election.

The Aam Aadmi Party boss – arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 in the alleged Delhi liquor excise policy scam, and now in the city’s Tihar Jail – must surrender to prison officials by June 2.

The court also said pleas to extend relief beyond that date would be heard next week; Mr Kejriwal’s legal team had sought bail till July, i.e., till after the election and the formation of the new government.

Bail Conditions:-

The two-judge bench – Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Datta – said bail conditions would be similar to those imposed on Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, Mr Kejriwal’s colleague who was arrested in October in connection with the same case and given bail in early April.

Crucially, Sanjay Singh was allowed to participate in political activities, meaning he could campaign for the AAP. And that is what Mr Kejriwal is also expected to be able to do, once he is released.

Specifically, Mr Kejriwal has been told he cannot visit his office or the Delhi Secretariat.

He also cannot interact with witnesses in the case or have any contact with connected files.

In addition, Mr Kejriwal will not “make any comment with regard to his role” in the present case, and “shall be bound by the statement made on his behalf – that he shall not sign official files unless it is required and necessary for obtaining clearance/ approval of the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi,” the court stated.

Finally, Mr Kejriwal was told to furnish bail bonds of the value of ₹ 50,000 with a similar surety.