Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday got interim bail by the Supreme Court in connection with the excise policy case in big relief for his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ahead of voting in the national capital for the Lok Sabha elections 2024.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 in connection with the money laundering case linked to the alleged excise or liquor policy "scam" and was subsequently sent to judicial custody. Arvind Kejriwal was lodged in Tihar jail.

An interim bail is a temporary form of bail granted during the pendency of an application for anticipatory or regular bail.

While granting Arvind Kejriwal interim bail, the Supreme Court on Friday told the Enforcement Directorate that an interim bail for 21 days will "not make much of a difference".

Arvind Kejriwal's interim bail has come as a big relief for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) which had been campaigning without its key leader for the Lok Sabha elections 2024, which begin on April 19.

The seven constituencies of Delhi will be voting in the sixth phase, taking place on May 25, while in Punjab, another AAP-ruled state, polling is scheduled on June 1, the seventh phase.

While granting interim bail to Arvind Kejriwal, a bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta said the Delhi chief minister, arrested in a money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam, will have to surrender and go back to jail on June 2.

The bench refused the request of senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Kejriwal, that the interim bail be granted till June 5.

June 1 is the last day of the seven-phase elections. The votes will be counted on June 4.

Speaking to media on the Supreme Court granting interim bail to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal till June 1, Delhi Congress interim chief Devender Yadav said, "We have been saying that BJP and its leaders have caged establishments of democracy. Because of this, sitting CMs were sent to jail. I appreciate the Supreme Court's order of granting (interim) bail to Arvind Kejriwal. This will boost the faith of people in democracy."

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, appearing for the Enforcement Directorate, opposed interim bail to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on grounds of poll campaigning, saying no such precedents are available.

Observing that granting Arvind Kejriwal interim bail for 21 days will not make much of a difference, the bench said the ED's Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) was registered in August 2022 while the chief minister was arrested on March 21 this year, adding that the leader was "out there" for more than a year.

"He [Kejriwal] was out there for one-and-a-half-years. He could have been arrested earlier or after but nothing such thing happened," news agency PTI quoted the bench as telling the ED.

The law officers urged the court to impose bail conditions, including restriction on Arvind Kejriwal Kejriwal from saying anything regarding the excise policy case.

The bench said the conditions will be similar to those imposed on AAP leader Sanjay Singh, who was given bail last month in connection with the case.

Congress leader Pawan Khera welcomed the Supreme Court's intervention into the case involving Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal's arrest right before the Lok Sabha elections.

Celebrations began in AAP offices in Delhi as they welcome the Supreme Court's decision to grant their chief interim bail till June 1.

AAP statement said, "Truth cannot be defeated, welcome SC decision; Satyamev Jayate."

Several AAP workers could be seen celebrating and chanting slogans outside party office.

AAP leaders Gopal Rai, Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj held a press conference after the SC decision of granting Arvind Kejriwal an interim bail was declared.

Rai during the presser stated, "SC decision ray of hope for those who love country, thank top court for granting interim bail to Kejriwal".

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 in connection with the money laundering case linked to the alleged excise or liquor policy 'scam' and was subsequently sent to judicial custody. Kejriwal was lodged in Delhi's Tihar jail.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in a post on X congratulated her Delhi counterpart on the Supreme Court order. She wrote, "I am very happy to see that Shri Arvind Kejriwal has got interim bail," adding, "It will be very helpful in the context of the current elections."

The supremos of Trinamool Congress and Aam Aadmi Party are part of the opposition INDIA bloc.

Right after the news of Supreme Court's decision of granting Arvind Kejriwal interim bail was announced, Kejriwal's lawyer Shadan Farasat said, ""The court pronounced a very short oral order, we have not yet seen the written order. So, we don't know the exact contents of the written order. The court said they are releasing Mr Kejriwal on an interim release/bail until June 2, and there are no conditions on what he can say and what he cannot say during the campaigning process and while he is out in these 20-22 days. We are hoping that this order is uploaded today, and then we will update appropriate procedure for his release."

Further describing the details of the order he said, "“The court has pronounced an oral order and in that order, the court indicated that it is granting interim bail to Arvind Kejriwal which will be operable till June 2. There’s no restriction on campaigning. We will try for the relief today itself.”

Kalpana Murmu Soren who is the wife of jailed Hemant Soren has put up a congratulatory post for Arvind Kejriwal on the Supreme Court decision on X platform, she said, "Hearty congratulations and Johar to the Honorable Chief Minister of Delhi Shri Arvind Kejriwal ji on getting interim bail today. Hearty congratulations to his partner in struggle Sunita ji and other members of the family as well."

Soren also said, "We have to show the dictatorial forces that the country will run according to the Constitution of Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar."

"Jharkhand will not bow down! INDIA will not stop!", stated Kalpana Soren.

In a short video, AAP leader Sanjay Singh who is currently campaigning for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, expressed his happiness over the Supreme Court's decision of granting interim bail to Arvind Kejriwal. He said in Hindi, " ???? ?????? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ??.???????? ???????? ?? ?????? ?? ?????? ??, ???????? ?? ??? ????? (Truth can be troubled but not defeated. The decision of the Hon'ble Supreme Court is welcome, it will end dictatorship.)

Delhi Minister and AAP leader Atishi informed the media that Arvind Kejriwa will come out of jail today evening, she said, "This is the victory of truth...I thank the SC for coming forward to save the Constitution and democracy. Arvind Kejriwal will come out of Tihar Jail this evening and I am sure he will address the people of Delhi and the country."

While granting Arvind Kejriwal interim bail in the money laundering case by Enforcement Directorate for the Delhi Excise Policy, the Supreme Court stated a condition for the Delhi CM, the bench said, "Arvind Kejriwal shall not visit chief minister's office and Delhi Secretariat."

The Suprme Court has directed Arvind Kejriwal not to make comments about "his role in money laundering case related to excise policy scam" once he is out of jail on the interim bail granted to him by the court from today till June 1.

The order doesn't restrict him in participating in the election campaigns for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

The Supreme Court said that Arvind Kejriwal shall furnish bail bonds of Rs 50,000 with one surety of like amount for release from Tihar jail.

The Supreme Court has further directed Arvind Kejriwal to not interact with any witnesses or have access to official files connected with case while he is out in public during his interim bail till June 1.

While granting interim bail to Arvind Kejriwal in the Delhi Excise Policy case with money laundering charges by the Enforcement Directorate who arrested him on March 21, the Supreme Court clarified that, "Serious accusations have been made against Arvind Kejriwal but he has not been convicted yet."

The SC also said, "Arvind Kejriwal does not have any criminal antecedents and he is not a threat to society."

An interim bail is a temporary form of bail granted during the pendency of an application for anticipatory or regular bail.

While granting Arvind Kejriwal interim bail, the Supreme Court on Friday told the Enforcement Directorate that an interim bail for 21 days will "not make much of a difference".

Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal who has participated in the election campaigns in the absence of her husband over past month expressed her joy over the news of Supreme Court granting interim bail to the Delhi CM.

Sunita Kejriwal called it, "victory of democracy", she also said, "It is the result of the prayers and blessings of millions of people. Many thanks to everyone."

Arvind Kejriwal Bail News LIVE: CPI(M) Leader Brinda Karat Welcomes Supreme Court's Decision, Says "Its A Tight Slap On ED & Centre"

Speaking on interim bail to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat said, "We welcome this decision of the Supreme Court. SC's decision is a tight slap on the face of ED & central government. The central government has used ED as a political agency against the opposition party...When you arrest an elected CM what kind of level playing field is it?..."

The Supreme Court on Friday while granting interim bail to Arvind Kejriwal imposed few restrictions and conditions for the time he will be in public till June 1.

While Kejriwal is allowed to participate in election campaigns, he will not be allowed in the Chief Minister's office and the Delhi secretariat.

He will also not be allowed access to his case files or interact with the witnesses in the case.

To Know More About The Conditions Click Here.

Several Aam Aadmi Party workers were seen dancing and celebrating the news of Supreme Court granting interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday.

Some were also distributing sweets in Haryana's Kaithal.

The authorities have beefed up security outside Tihar jail on Friday after Supreme Court granted interim bail to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.

Kejriwal is expected to walk out of jail today evening and AAP leader Gopal Rai said that several party leaders and workers will be gathering outside the jail to welcome him.

After Supreme Court's decision to grant Arvind Kejriwal interim bail in Dlehi Excise policy case, his wife Sunita Kejriwal left for Tihar Jail as he will come out of it in the evening today.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday filed a fresh charge sheet in the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case naming BRS leader K Kavitha as an accused, official sources said.

The federal agency had arrested Kavitha, the daughter of former Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao, from her Banjara hills residence in Hyderabad on March 15.

Official sources said the prosecution complaint has been filed under sections 45 and 44(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) before a designated court, the sources said.

A similar complaint against Kejriwal is expected to be filed next week.

This is the seventh charge sheet by the ED in this case in which it has arrested 18 people so far including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was given interim bail by the Supreme Court on Friday.

According to reports, the Tihar Jail authorities have received the release order of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal who has been granted interim bail by the Supreme Court few hours back.

The prison officials said, "He will be released shortly."

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has reached the airport for his flight to Delhi so that he can welcome Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal as he walks out of Tihar jail this evening after Supreme Court granted him interim bail in the Delhi Excise Policy case.

AAP Spokesperson Jasmine Shah speaking on the Supreme Court granting interim bail to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal till June 1 said, “Today democracy has won due to the blessings of Arvind Kejriwal’s supporters. Truth has won and dictatorship has lost.”

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on the Supreme Court granting interim bail to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal till June 1 said, “It should have happened much earlier. The Congress party had raised the question as to why Arvind Kejriwal was arrested. I am glad that the Supreme Court said that the bail would continue till the last voting day on June 1.”

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has been released from Tihar jail o Friday evening hours after Supreme Court granted him interim bail in the Delhi Excise Policy case till June 1.

Arvind Kejriwal during his first public address after being released from Tihar Jail thanked his supporters, he said, "I want to thank all of you. You gave me your blessings. I want to thank the judges of the Supreme Court, it is because of them that I am in front of you. We have to save the country from dictatorship..."

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal addresses party workers after being released from Tihar jail. CM Kejriwal said, "Tomorrow at 11 am we will go to the Hanuman Temple at Connaught Place and at 1 pm, we will address a press conference at the party office." The Supreme Court granted him interim bail in the Delhi excise policy case till June 1.

- ANI

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal after his release from Tihar jail on Friday evening addressed a sea of AAP supporters who welcomed him and amidst the bursting of crackers and chants of "Arvind Kejriwal Zindabad".

Kejriwal chanted slogans of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai", "Inquilab Zindabad" and "Vandemataram" and then expressed his happiness of being out of the jail after 50 days of custody.

Kejriwal reminded that he had promised the public that he would come back soon and added, "Here I am".

On interim bail to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, AAP MP Swati Maliwal says, "On behalf of the people of the country, I wholeheartedly thank the Supreme Court. Arvind Kejriwal ji did amazing work in Delhi and Punjab. Today when he has been released from jail, there is a wave of happiness and hope in the entire country which will definitely translate into votes. We will win with a huge margin."

- ANI

Speaking to reporters after Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was released from Tihar Jail, AAP leader Sanjay Singh said, "BJP is a party of thieves and corrupts, robbers from all over the country are with the BJP today. BJP has been exposed, INDIA alliance government will be formed with more than 300 seats."

As Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal reaches his home after being released from Tihar Jail on Friday evening, he addressed the media.

Kejriwal stated, "Our country is more than 4,000 years old. But whenever anyone tried to impose dictatorship on this country, people never tolerated it. Today the country is passing through a period of dictatorship. I am fighting against it. But 140 crore people will have to come together and defeat the dictatorship."

He also told the reporters, Tomorrow at 11 am, I will go to the Hanuman Temple at Connaught Place to seek blessings of Lord Hanuman and at 1 pm, we will address a press conference at the party office, and in the evening, I will participate in a roadshow in South Delhi..."

Arvind Kejriwal was welcomed home with a garland by his wife Sunita Kejriwal and he sought blessings from his parents who gave him a warm welcome as he returned after 50 days in Tihar Jail.

AAP Leader Sanjay Singh picked up Arvind Kejriwal in his arms as they hugged in joy of the latter reaching home from Tihar Jail. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann was also present.