Arvind Kejriwal released from Tihar jail, calls for a fight against dictatorship

In a significant development, Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi and leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), was released from Tihar Jail after a 50-day incarceration. His release followed the Supreme Court’s decision to grant him bail until June 1, just ahead of the crucial Delhi elections slated for May 25. This move has been widely viewed as potentially transformative for the electoral prospects of the AAP and the INDIA bloc.

Arvind Kejriwal was welcomed by a large crowd of AAP supporters, his wife Sunita Kejriwal, and senior party leaders like Atishi and Saurabh Bhardwaj upon his release. This marked a poignant moment, as Kejriwal, directly addressing the public and media, emphasized the need to safeguard the country from what he termed “dictatorship.” His remarks underscored the charged atmosphere surrounding his arrest and subsequent release, which he attributed to both judicial prudence and divine intervention, specifically mentioning a planned visit to a Hanuman temple in Delhi.

Kejriwal’s legal challenges began with accusations related to a controversial liquor policy scam, purportedly involving kickbacks of ₹100 crores. The AAP has consistently denied these charges, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using state machinery to target opposition leaders unfairly. The Supreme Court, in its observations, pointed out that Kejriwal, as a non-habitual offender and a sitting Chief Minister, posed no threat that justified continued detention, especially given the electoral timetable.

The court’s decision was framed against the backdrop of the Enforcement Directorate‘s (ED) opposition, which argued that no political leader should be granted bail merely to participate in an election campaign, asserting that such a precedent would be inappropriate. The BJP has echoed this sentiment, expressing skepticism about Kejriwal’s temporary release and reiterating the gravity of the allegations against him.

As the final phase of voting approaches, with Kejriwal scheduled to surrender by June 2, the political and legal narratives continue to intertwine, reflecting broader debates about judicial discretion, electoral integrity, and the role of law enforcement agencies in political processes.