In a significant political development, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been granted bail by India’s Supreme Court after spending five months in jail over corruption allegations. Kejriwal, a key opposition figure and leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), was arrested in connection with a controversial liquor policy introduced in 2021, which was later abandoned. The policy aimed to reduce black market sales and ensure fair distribution of liquor licenses but was accused of being manipulated to benefit private liquor interests.
Both Kejriwal and his party have denied the charges, calling them “politically motivated.” His arrest, just weeks before the crucial parliamentary elections, fueled accusations that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is using government agencies to target opposition leaders.
The Supreme Court, while granting bail, imposed strict conditions, prohibiting Kejriwal from making public statements or performing his official duties during this period. His case is one of several involving AAP leaders, with former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and party member Sanjay Singh also having faced similar charges.
Kejriwal, a former anti-corruption activist who rose to prominence during nationwide protests in 2011, has consistently positioned himself against both the BJP and Congress. His release comes amid heightened international attention, with the US and Germany expressing concerns over the treatment of opposition figures in India.
As the AAP remains a central player in Delhi’s governance and opposition politics nationwide, Kejriwal’s release marks a crucial moment in his ongoing political and legal battles.
